Abstract
The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to examine factors related
to HBV screening and vaccination among various Asian and Latino populations in Alameda County, CA. A cross-sectional study
was conducted on Asian and Latino residents who registered with an HBV screening program from June 2009–February 2011. All
participants completed a sociodemographic survey and were offered free HBV blood testing for the hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg) and antibody (HBsAb). The 3-shot vaccination series was provided for free to unprotected participants. Among the 792
registered participants, 84.4% (n = 669) received a blood test. Of the 669 tested participants, 7.9% (n = 53) tested HBV positive
(HBsAg+, HBsAb −), 46.2% (n = 309) were protected (HBsAg −, HBsAb +), and 45.9% (n = 307) were susceptible to HBV infection
(HBsAg −, HBsAb −). Among those unprotected, 60% completed the vaccine series. Multivariate analysis showed that being Vietnamese
(OR = 5.53, 95% CI 1.54, 19.85), living in the US >10 years (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.13, 3.97), and having at least a college
education (OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.28, 5.07) were important predictors of vaccine completion. Given the various HBsAg + prevalence,
screening, and vaccine completion rates among the different ethnic groups in this study, it is clear that different approaches
in screening and vaccinating individual ethnic groups for hepatitis B are warranted.
to HBV screening and vaccination among various Asian and Latino populations in Alameda County, CA. A cross-sectional study
was conducted on Asian and Latino residents who registered with an HBV screening program from June 2009–February 2011. All
participants completed a sociodemographic survey and were offered free HBV blood testing for the hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg) and antibody (HBsAb). The 3-shot vaccination series was provided for free to unprotected participants. Among the 792
registered participants, 84.4% (n = 669) received a blood test. Of the 669 tested participants, 7.9% (n = 53) tested HBV positive
(HBsAg+, HBsAb −), 46.2% (n = 309) were protected (HBsAg −, HBsAb +), and 45.9% (n = 307) were susceptible to HBV infection
(HBsAg −, HBsAb −). Among those unprotected, 60% completed the vaccine series. Multivariate analysis showed that being Vietnamese
(OR = 5.53, 95% CI 1.54, 19.85), living in the US >10 years (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.13, 3.97), and having at least a college
education (OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.28, 5.07) were important predictors of vaccine completion. Given the various HBsAg + prevalence,
screening, and vaccine completion rates among the different ethnic groups in this study, it is clear that different approaches
in screening and vaccinating individual ethnic groups for hepatitis B are warranted.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9553-0
- Authors
- Kevin Hur, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Myo Wong, The Hep B Project, 2501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA, USA
- Joshua Lee, The Hep B Project, 2501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA, USA
- Joyce Lee, The Hep B Project, 2501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA, USA
- Hee-Soon Juon, Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145