245098 Hepatitis B in the Asian-American Community

Monday, October 31, 2011: 11:30 AM

Tamara R. Brickham, MPH , Bureau of HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Houston, TX
Chiehwen Ed Hsu, PhD, MS, MPH , Preventive Health Informatics and SpaTial Analysis (PHISTA) Lab, UT School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Shiou- Bih Yang, RN , Tzu Chi Foundation, Houston, TX
Whey May Shen, RN , Herald Cancer Association, Houston, TX
Shane Chen, BS , Asian American Health Coalition- HOPE, Houston, TX
Shahnaz Ajani, BA , Ibn Sina Foundation, Houston, TX
Cynthia Turner, MS, SV(ASCP) , Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Laboratory Services, Houston, TX
Marlene L. McNeese-Ward , Bureau of HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Houston, TX
     
Background The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS), Bureau of HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis Prevention is dedicated to decrease the incidence of new infections of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and to decrease the risks for chronic liver disease in persons with chronic HBV. The program goal was to comprehensively screen and test the Asian community in order to increase the number of Asian community members aware of their hepatitis B status.

Target Population 1000 Asian-Americans between 18 and 65 years old in the Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Asian Indian, and Filipino communities.

Methods CDC granted HDHHS $45,000 to screen for HBV in the Asian community. Ten cultural and lingual appropriate educational sessions and screenings were conducted at six faith-based, one clinical, and two social service organizations in collaboration with community partners. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and Hepatitis B Surface Antibody and Hepatitis B Core antibody tests were done. Test results and follow-up recommendations were mailed. Free Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine was offered to those susceptible participants.

Results and Lessons Learned •Screened 1,003 people: –364 were already exposed to hepatitis B virus •330 were immune due to previous infection, and 34 had chronic HBV –214 immune due to previous vaccination –333 were susceptible to HBV, and needed vaccination •100% of susceptible clients received a referral voucher for free vaccination •50% received vaccination at a designated clinic

Hepatitis B educational and screening programs can be successfully implemented within a culturally appropriate, community-based setting.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the prevalence of Hepatitis B in the Houston Asian-American community. 2. Design a community-based program that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to reach the needs of the Houston Asian-American community.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Collaborator of the program. We (UT Health Science Center) collaborated with City of Houston to conduct this program.
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.

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