Aims: To describe the epidemiology of acute hepatitis B resulting in hospital admission in New Zealand.
Methods: National hospitalisation data on acute hepatitis B (ICD9 codes 070.2, 070.3) were analysed.
Results: The average annual hospitalisation rate from acute hepatitis B in New Zealand was 1.4 per 100 000 for the years 1985-91. There was a greater risk of morbidity in Maori (relative risk (RR) for hospitalisation of Maori: RR = 2.24, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.98, 2.52). The figure for Pacific Islands people was even higher (RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.01, 3.19). Relatively high hospitalisation rates occurred in males and in those aged between 15 and 29 years. Hospitalisations from acute hepatitis B were estimated to cost the hospital sector approximately $220,000 per year. Death occurred in 36 (5.4%) of these cases.
Conclusion: Data on hospitalisations from acute hepatitis B can provide useful information on the epidemiology of this disease in New Zealand.