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Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to understand the need for hepatitis B serologic testing prior to immunization in Asian immigrants, as well as in those with self-reported HBV immunization.
Background:
Background: Asian Americans have the highest rates of hepatitis B in the United States. Our Chicago Asian immigrant community based hepatitis B screening program has identified approximately 10% positivity rates for hepatitis B surface antigen. However, studies to date have not reported the prior immunization status in Asian community based hepatitis B screening programs.
Methods:
Methods: Between 2001- 2003, 1019 Asian immigrants in the Chicago land area participated in community based hepatitis B screening programs (Chinese,Vietnamese, Cambodian, Lao, Korean, Indian, Pakistani). Screening included HbsAg, anti-HBs and HBeAg and ALT in those with a positive HBsAg. All participants completed a language specific survey on demographics, risk factors, health beliefs and previous immunization history.
Results:
Results; 94 persons were HbsAg+ for an average rate of 9.23%. (Men 13%,Women 7%). 54% were anti-HBs+; 37% were both HBsAg and anti-HBs negative. 64% of persons with anti-HBs reported no recollection of receiving HBV vaccine. 4% of HBsAg + individuals reported prior HBV immunization.
Conclusions:
Conclusions: In our study population, those aged 19-35 had both the highest rates of both HBsAg positivity and previous hepatitis B immunization reporting. The concern for this young at-risk population is the absence of needed follow up, surveillance and/or treatment. Since greater than 60% of all Asian Americans are foreign born and self-reported immunization history is inaccurate, this study highlights the need for aggressive HBV screening despite immunization history in Asian immigrants. Previous immunization in Asian Americans should not deter screening and evaluation for hepatitis B risk.
See more of Poster Session #1
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference