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326560
Findings from a Large-Scale, Community-Based Hepatitis B Screening Program among Korean Americans in Bergen County, NJ


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Chul Hyun, MD, PhD, The Center for Viral Hepatitis, Englewood, NJ
Seung Kang, RN, MS, The Center for Viral Hepatitis, Englewood, NY
Suki Lee, BS, The Center for Viral Hepatitis, Englewood, NY
Seo Jung, RN, BSN, The Center for Viral Hepatitis, Englewood, NJ
Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a major cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. Previous reports have demonstrated a HBV prevalence rate of >8% in Asian Americans as compared to <0.3% in the general US population, demonstrating a marked disparity between these two populations. We, therefore, assessed the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of HBV among Korean Americans in Bergen County, in order to develop strategic plans to reduce the impact of HBV in Asian American community.

Methods: Serologic screening and survey were provided to 8309 Korean American adults (99% age 20-90) in Bergen County between September 2009 and March 2014. All participants were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody. Self-administered questionnaires were employed to evaluate demographic and epidemiologic characteristics.

Results: Of those 8309 screened, 208 (2.5%) were HBV carriers, 3090 (37.2%) were susceptible to HBV, and 5011(60.3%) were immune. The prevalence of chronic HBV varied significantly between the age groups: 0.7% (age21-30); 2.43% (age 31-40); 2.24% (age 41-50); 3.53% (age 51-60); 2.48% (age 61-70); and 1.82% (age 71-90). The degree of immunity also varied between 52.1% (age 71-90) and 65% (age 41-50).

Discussion:  The prevalence of hepatitis B in Korean American population may be significantly lower than currently understood. On the other hand, a large  percentage of population was still susceptible to HBV. Study findings will be used to develop strategies to tailor community-based HBV screenings to the high risk populations.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Assess the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of hepatitis B viral(HBV) infection among a community-based sample of Korean Americans, and to formulate strategic plan to reduce the impact of HBV in Asian American community.

Keyword(s): Asian Americans, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a hepatologist serving as the director of The Center for Viral Hepatitis, an organization devoted to promoting awareness of hepatitis B in high risk population with unmet needs. In addition to our efforts to facilitating linkage to care, I have conducted a large scale epidemiologic investigation on the prevalence of hepatitis B in Korean American population in the greater NY area, the results of which are summarized in the current abstract.
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.

Back to: 4282.0: Chronic Disease Prevention, Screening and Management Practices