Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objectives
The aims of our study were to describe current hepatitis B prevalence among Vietnamese Americans and to examine predictors of hepatitis B risk in this specific ethnic community.Design
Cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based screening program.Setting
This analysis was based on hepatitis screening community events in Southern California.Participants
2508 Vietnamese Americans in Southern California.Outcome measures
Serological tests for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody were used to classify participants as one of four hepatitis B infection statuses: currently infected, previously infected, susceptible, or immune due to a previous hepatitis B vaccination.Results
Across 2508 participants, 9.0% were currently infected with hepatitis B and 17.7% were at risk for hepatitis B. Females and those reporting a previous hepatitis B vaccination were at significant decreased risk of hepatitis B (OR=0.48, 95%?CI 0.33 to 0.69 and OR=0.53, 95%?CI 0.31 to 0.93, respectively) whereas those born outside of the USA and with a family history of the disease showed substantial increased risk (OR=13.36, 95%?CI 1.62 to 110.05 and OR=4.68, 95%?CI 2.66 to 8.22, respectively). Among those who reported a previous hepatitis B vaccination, less than half (42.9%) possessed the protective antibodies that result from a hepatitis B vaccination.Conclusions
Vietnamese Americans remain disproportionately burdened by hepatitis B. Public health efforts that focus on improving hepatitis B awareness and vaccination knowledge and that are tailored to specific high-risk subgroups, such as immigrants and those with infected family members, could help in addressing the disease's burden in this high-prevalence population.
SUBMITTER: Lee AW
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6720462 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lee Alice W AW Jacobs Wura W Chan Elena E Nguyen Becky B Hua Dung N DN Ho John N JN Yuen Priscilla P Van Nguyen Thai T
BMJ open 20190826 8
<h4>Objectives</h4>The aims of our study were to describe current hepatitis B prevalence among Vietnamese Americans and to examine predictors of hepatitis B risk in this specific ethnic community.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based screening program.<h4>Setting</h4>This analysis was based on hepatitis screening community events in Southern California.<h4>Participants</h4>2508 Vietnamese Americans in Southern California.<h4>Outcome measures</h4>Serological tests ...[more]