Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus in the Philippines.

Hepatitis B virus markers were studied in 2,842 Philippine rural subjects from four villages in 1979-1982. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and all markers for hepatitis B virus averaged 12% and 58%, respectively, in these rural populations. It is estimated that five million Filipinos are HBsAg positive.