Prevalence data in the general population

In 2004, the national prevalence survey of hepatitis B and C conducted among the general adult population in metropolitan France estimated:

• The prevalence of the HBs antigen at 0.65% (95% CI: 0.45–0.93), corresponding to 280,821 people (95% CI: 179,730–381,913) with chronic hepatitis B. Among these individuals, 45% (95% CI: 23–69) were aware of their HBs antigen-positive status.

• The prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies was 7.3% (95% CI: 6.5–8.2), corresponding to 3.1 million people (95% CI: 2.8–3.5) who had had prior exposure to HBV.

Factors significantly associated with anti-HBc antibody positivity were: intravenous drug use, homosexuality, precarious living conditions, an educational level below the high school diploma, a stay of at least three months in institutions, a country of birth where the prevalence of the HBs antigen is greater than 2%, a place of residence located in the northeastern quarter of France, southeastern France, or the Île-de-France region, being male, and being over 29 years of age.

In 2016, the “BaroTest” virological component of the 2016 Health Barometer estimated the prevalence of HBs antigen in the general adult population (ages 18–75) living in metropolitan France at 0.30% (95% CI: 0.13–0.70), corresponding to 135,706 people (95% CI: 58,224–313,960) with chronic hepatitis B. Among these individuals, 17.5% (95% CI: 4.9–46.4) were aware of their status.

Prevalence data in specific populations

• Among pregnant women:

Based on data from the National Perinatal Survey (ENP) conducted in 2016 across all maternity wards in France during a given week, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg carriage) among pregnant women was estimated at 0.8% (95% CI: 0.6–0.9). This prevalence ranged from 0.4% (95% CI: 0.3–0.5) for those born in a country with low HBV endemicity, to 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6–1.2) for those born in a country with moderate HBV endemicity, and 5.6% (95% CI: 4.2–7.4) for those born in a country with high HBV endemicity.

Based on data from the 2011 maternity ward survey conducted as part of the ELFE study (French Longitudinal Study from Childhood), the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B among pregnant women was estimated at 0.8% (95% CI: 0.6–1.1). This prevalence ranged from 0.3% (95% CI: 0.2–0.5) for those born in a country with low HBV endemicity, to 1.2% (95% CI: 0.6–2.2) for those born in a country with moderate HBV endemicity, and 6.7% (95% CI: 4.5–9.8) for those born in a country with high HBV endemicity.

• Among the Afro-Caribbean population of the Île-de-France region, the AfroBaromètre survey, conducted in 2016 at community centers in the Île-de-France region, showed that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg carriage) was 5.1%. It reached 7.0% among people born in sub-Saharan Africa. Among all HBsAg carriers, only 23% were aware of their status.

• Among men who have sex with men (MSM) frequenting gay social venues, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B was estimated at 0.6% [95% CI: 0.2–1.3], based on the 2015 Prévagay survey. Among HIV-positive MSM, the estimated prevalence was 1.5% [0.6–3.6].

• Among drug users attending treatment and harm reduction facilities, the 2011–2013 ANRS-Coquelicot survey estimated the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B at 1.4% (95% CI: 0.8–2.5). It ranged from 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3–1.5) among users born in a country with low HBV endemicity, to 2.2% (95% CI: 0.8–5.7) among those born in a country with moderate HBV endemicity, and 7.6% (95% CI: 2.7–19.1) among those born in a country with high HBV endemicity.

• Among the hospitalized population, analysis of data from the Hospital Information Systems Medicalization Program (PMSI) estimated the proportion of hospitalized patients with a primary, related, or associated diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B at 0.11% in 2010 and 2011.