Objective To explore the current status and trends of viral hepatitis prevalence in Liangshan Prefecture

and to provide a basis for the local formulation of prevention and control policies and measures. Methods This study applied descriptive epidemiological methods to statistically analyze the information of reported viral hepatitis cases from the Statutory Infectious Disease Information Reporting Subsystem of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Results In 2016-2018

the composition of male cases of viral hepatitis reported in Liangshan Prefecture was 68.65%

66.63%

and 65.79%

respectively

which were higher than the 31.35%

33.37%

and 34.21% of female cases; cases were mainly young adults

but the composition of cases aged < 15 years and aged ≥ 55 years shows a year-on-year increase; the overall reported incidences of viral hepatitis in the three years were 131.73/100 000

137.93/100 000 and 132.93/100 000

respectively

with type B viral hepatitis having the highest reported incidence

followed by type C viral hepatitis and the third type A viral hepatitis; during 2016-2018

the overall reported incidences of viral hepatitis among male residents were 177.32/100 000

180.20/100 000 and 171.47/100 000

respectively

all higher than those of 84.28/100 000

93.93/100 000 and 92.81/100 000 for females; during the three years

the reported incidences of viral hepatitis among people living in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities were 180.25/100 000

183.79/100 000 and 174.43/100 000

respectively

all higher than the 83.25/100 000

91.67/100 000 and 89.81/100 000 in the Aning River Basin area. Conclusion The incidence of viral hepatitis in Liangshan Prefecture is higher than the national and provincial average

and the local government and health administration should pay great attention to and actively respond to it.