184742 Effectiveness of preimmunization screening for hepatitis B infections among Asian and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii

Monday, October 27, 2008

Augustina Manuzak, PhD candidate , Walden University, Kailua, HI
Naoky Tsai, MD , John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Aldrich A. Ricalde, BA , Hawaii Medical Center, Liver Center, Honolulu, HI
Background:

Regardless of vaccination status, screening for hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) in all foreign-born individuals from endemic regions is now recommended by CDC. In the Asian-Pacific belt, the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is between 5%-20%, compared to 0.1-0.5% in the U.S. non-immigrant population. Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) comprise approximately 60% of Hawaii's population.

Objective:

Given that a majority of Hawaii's population is immigrants or descendent of immigrants from Asia and Pacific Islands, the objective of this study is to explore the extent of the implementation of the national hepatitis B policy in Hawaii's large API population.

Methods:

A multi-agency, public-private partnership was undertaken in September 2006 to create a community-based screening and vaccination program. Entitled Hawaii “3forLife” the intervention program provided serologic screening for hepatitis B followed by hepatitis B vaccination.

Results:

Serologic results revealed that chronic hepatitis B is prevalent in 7.1% of those tested (N = 1540). A total of 41.0% was immune to hepatitis B, and 51.8% was susceptible and required hepatitis B vaccination. As of February 2008, 50.5% of those susceptible received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, 42.5% received two doses, and 23.8% completed the three series of hepatitis B vaccination.

Conclusion:

Hawaii “3forLife” increased awareness of the silent hepatitis B epidemic, encouraged the API population to seek hepatitis B screening, and boosted vaccination rates in this population. The program justifies itself, given the prevalence of hepatitis B among API in Hawaii; results reveal important implications for healthcare management.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participants will be able to: 1. Understand the challenges to developing a comprehensive community-based program for hepatitis B prevention and care. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the disproportionate burden of chronic HBV infection among API.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in public health area for more than 10 years. I have done research in hepatitis for years. I presented several research on APHA conference on numerous times. I am currently enrolled in PhD program with focus on epidemiology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Hepatitis B Prevention among Asians & Pacific Islanders
See more of: Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of APHA