TY - JOUR
T1 - Hepatitis B and hepatitis C Prevalence and treatment referral among Asian Americans undergoing community-based hepatitis screening
AU - Hwang, Jessica P.
AU - Mohsenl, Mahfam
AU - Gor, Beverly J.
AU - Wen, Sljln
AU - Guerrero, Heather
AU - Vlerling, John M.
PY - 2010/4/1
Y1 - 2010/4/1
N2 - Objectives. We sought to identify cross-sectional hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV prevalence among Asian Americans at a community health fair and to assess referral rates. Methods. We determined HBV prevalence with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). We determined HCV prevalence with hepatitis C antibodies. Successful referral occurred when participants with HBV or HCV were contacted, medically evaluated, and given contact information of liver specialists for care. Results. Of 202 people screened, 118 were Asian Americans (65 Chinese and 39 Vietnamese). Twelve had chronic HBV with positive HBsAg. However, chronic HBV prevalence increased from 10.2% to 13.6% by concomitant HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs testing. Prevalence of HCV was 6% overall but 15.4% among Vietnamese. Overall, 83% of patients with chronic HBV and 100% of patients with occult HBV or HCV were successfully referred. Conclusions. Concomitant HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs testing permits diagnosis of chronic, occult HBV infections missed by testing with HBsAg alone. Persons identified with HBV or HCV at community health fairs can be successfully referred.
AB - Objectives. We sought to identify cross-sectional hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV prevalence among Asian Americans at a community health fair and to assess referral rates. Methods. We determined HBV prevalence with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). We determined HCV prevalence with hepatitis C antibodies. Successful referral occurred when participants with HBV or HCV were contacted, medically evaluated, and given contact information of liver specialists for care. Results. Of 202 people screened, 118 were Asian Americans (65 Chinese and 39 Vietnamese). Twelve had chronic HBV with positive HBsAg. However, chronic HBV prevalence increased from 10.2% to 13.6% by concomitant HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs testing. Prevalence of HCV was 6% overall but 15.4% among Vietnamese. Overall, 83% of patients with chronic HBV and 100% of patients with occult HBV or HCV were successfully referred. Conclusions. Concomitant HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs testing permits diagnosis of chronic, occult HBV infections missed by testing with HBsAg alone. Persons identified with HBV or HCV at community health fairs can be successfully referred.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77950589021&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77950589021&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2009.162776
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2009.162776
M3 - Article
C2 - 20147697
AN - SCOPUS:77950589021
SN - 0090-0036
VL - 100
SP - S118-S124
JO - American journal of public health
JF - American journal of public health
IS - SUPPL. 1
ER -