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Koc ÖM, Vaes B, Robaeys G, Catalan CF, Aertgeerts B, Nevens F. Clinical audit of quality of care among patients with viral hepatitis in primary care in a low endemic region. Fam Pract 2024:cmae019. [PMID: 38887051 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening practices may fail to detect many infected patients who could benefit from new therapeutic agents to limit progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. OBJECTIVES This study assessed the test positivity rate and cascade of care of viral hepatitis patients in primary care in a low endemic region as well as the testing policy of abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. METHODS This is a retrospective clinical audit among primary health care practices in Flanders, Belgium, assessing patients with an active medical file between 2019 and 2021. RESULTS A total of 84/89 (94.4%) primary health care practices participated representing 621,573 patients of which 1069 patients (0.17%) were registered as having viral hepatitis, not further specified. Detailed information was available from 38 practices representing 243,723/621,573 (39.2%) patients of which 169 (0.07%) were HBsAg positive and 99 (0.04%) anti-HCV positive. A total of 96/134(71.6%) chronic HBV-infected and 31/77(40.3%) chronic HCV-infected patients were referred to a hepatologist. A total of 30,573/621,573(4.9%) patients had an abnormal ALT level, and by at random selection, more detailed information was obtained on 211 patients. Information on high-risk groups was missing in up to 60%. In patients with abnormal ALT level, HBsAg and anti-HCV testing were conducted in 37/211(17.5%) and 25/211(11.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION In a low endemic region, the testing rate and cascade of care of HBV and HCV-infected patients can be improved in primary care, especially in high-risk groups and patients with abnormal ALT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgür M Koc
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), University Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bert Vaes
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Cristian F Catalan
- Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics Centre (L-BioStat), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Aertgeerts
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- CEBAM, Belgian Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Steffen R, Chen LH, Leggat PA. Travel vaccines-priorities determined by incidence and impact. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad085. [PMID: 37341307 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious disease epidemiology is continuously shifting. While travel has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel-related epidemiological research experienced a pause, further shifts in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) relevant for travellers have occurred. METHODS We conducted a literature search on the epidemiology of travel-related VPD and synthesized data for each disease with a focus on symptomatic cases and on the impact of the respective infection among travellers, considering the hospitalization rate, disease sequela and case fatality rate. We present new data and revised best estimates on the burden of VPD relevant for decisions on priorities in travel vaccines. RESULTS COVID-19 has emerged to be a top travel-related risk and influenza remains high in the ranking with an estimated incidence at 1% per month of travel. Dengue is another commonly encountered infection among international travellers with estimated monthly incidence of 0.5-0.8% among non-immune exposed travellers; the hospitalized proportion was 10 and 22%, respectively, according to two recent publications. With recent yellow fever outbreaks particularly in Brazil, its estimated monthly incidence has risen to >0.1%. Meanwhile, improvements in hygiene and sanitation have led to some decrease in foodborne illnesses; however, hepatitis A monthly incidence remains substantial in most developing regions (0.001-0.01%) and typhoid remains particularly high in South Asia (>0.01%). Mpox, a newly emerged disease that demonstrated worldwide spread through mass gathering and travel, cannot be quantified regarding its travel-related risk. CONCLUSION The data summarized may provide a tool for travel health professionals to prioritize preventive strategies for their clients against VPD. Updated assessments on incidence and impact are ever more important since new vaccines with travel indications (e.g. dengue) have been licensed or are undergoing regulatory review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Department of Public and Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Zurich 8001, Switzerland
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter A Leggat
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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Stroffolini T, Stroffolini G. Five Decades of HBV Infection in Italy: A Continuous Challenge. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1075. [PMID: 37626961 PMCID: PMC10451692 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
In Italy, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been characterized by several changes over the last five decades. In 2019, the incidence of acute HBV among subjects targeted by the vaccination campaign was 0 cases in the age group 0-14 years and 0.1/100,000 in the age group 15-24. Nowadays, the burden of different stages of HBV-related chronic liver diseases is minimal. Intravenous drug use is no longer a risk factor (O.R. 0.7; 95% C.I. 0.5-1.02) for acquiring acute HBV; the proportion of cases reporting this exposure fell from 29.8% to 3.3% over the last two decades. The key public health intervention has been the compulsory vaccination campaign started in 1991 for infants 3 months old and 1-2 years old (the latter group for the first 12 years of the campaign). Moreover, non-immunogenic factors and the availability of effective oral antiviral drugs have played and continue to play a prominent role. The potential availability of new oral antiviral drugs with the inherent ability to eliminate the genomic HBV reservoirs may represent a further crucial step in the elimination of the virus in people that are already infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Stroffolini
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, 00186 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Stroffolini
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Via Don A. Sempreboni, 5, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
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Persistence of Immunity in Adults after 1, 5 and 10 Years with Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine in Beijing in 2010–2020. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020181. [PMID: 35214640 PMCID: PMC8877256 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistence of immunity after hepatitis B vaccination is still under investigation in adults. In Chaoyang District, Beijing, people who were aged ≥ 18 years and completely immunized with HBV vaccine according to the standard procedure (0–1–6 months) were enrolled. Three groups were set for 1 (Y1), 5 (Y5) and 10 (Y10) years after the hepatitis B vaccination. The following data was collected and analyzed: antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen(anti-HBs) positive rates and geometric mean concentration (GMC) between the different compared groups through questionnaires and laboratory detection, including hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs and antibody against hepatitis B virus core antigen(anti-HBc). All 600 subjects completed the questionnaires and serological tests. Among all subjects, the positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 0, 70.5% (423/600) and 2.5% (15/600), respectively. The anti-HBs positive rates in Y1, Y5 and Y10 groups were 86.5% (173/200), 71.0% (142/200) and 54.0% (108/200) (χ2 = 50.8, p < 0.001) and showed a linear decreasing trend year by year (trend χ2 = 50.7, p < 0.001). The GMC in Y1, Y5 and Y10 groups were 296.6 mIU/mL, 51.6 mIU/mL and 25.5 mIU/mL (H = 64.8, p < 0.001), respectively. The anti-HBs positive rates and GMC decreased rapidly after the vaccination of adults against hepatitis B. Screening after 5–10 years and booster vaccination for the unprotected population is recommended.
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Liang Y, Bai X, Liu X, Zhang Z, Pang X, Nie L, Qiu W, Zhao W, Hu G. Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Rates and Associated Factors: A Community-Based, Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Beijing, 2019-2020. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101070. [PMID: 34696178 PMCID: PMC8539675 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B vaccination coverage rates are low throughout most populations in China. Factors influencing low coverage rates, including population-specific hepatitis B vaccination barriers, may inform policies that promote vaccination. A cross-sectional survey of residents from 43 communities assessed their vaccination status and identified associated factors via uni- and multivariable logistic regression and subgroup analyses. In total, 11,280 of 36,007 respondents received a hepatitis B vaccine, indicating a 31.33% coverage rate. Multivariable logistic regression revealed non-Beijing (odds ratio (OR) = 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.85) and residents who self-rated their health as very healthy (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68-0.99) were unlikely to be vaccinated. Farmers (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.51-1.86), commerce and service workers (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.63-2.04), government employees (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.38-1.77), professionals and technicians (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.63-2.09), and students (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.10-2.59) had increased hepatitis B vaccination rates. The multivariable assessment revealed hepatitis B vaccination coverage rates are associated with confirmed or suspected family cases, vaccination unwillingness or uncertainty, and unawareness of its prevention of the hepatitis B virus. Low hepatitis B vaccination coverage rates among Beijing subpopulations highlight the need for improved strategies, including those that target specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liang
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xinxin Bai
- School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China;
| | - Xinyao Liu
- Center for Health Policy and Management, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100020, China;
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xinghuo Pang
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing 100013, China; (X.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Li Nie
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing 100013, China; (X.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Wuqi Qiu
- Center for Health Policy and Management, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100020, China;
- Correspondence: (W.Q.); (W.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Wei Zhao
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing 100020, China; (Y.L.); (Z.Z.)
- School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China;
- Correspondence: (W.Q.); (W.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Guangyu Hu
- Center for Health Policy and Management, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100020, China;
- Correspondence: (W.Q.); (W.Z.); (G.H.)
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De Brier N, Koc ÖM, De Buck E, Muylaert A, Nevens F, Vanbrabant M, Vandeloo J, Van Remoortel H, Robaeys G, Compernolle V. Hepatitis B virus prevalence in first-time blood donors in Flanders, Belgium: Impact of universal vaccination and migration. Transfusion 2021; 61:2125-2136. [PMID: 33955570 DOI: 10.1111/trf.16431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion-transmissible infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) remain a major concern for the safety of blood transfusion. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the trend of HBV prevalence and associated risk factors among a first-time donor population in a low endemic country. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Between 2010 and 2018, blood samples were collected from first-time donors presented at donor collection sites of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. They were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc), and HBV DNA, HIV and hepatitis virus C (HCV) antibodies and RNA, and syphilis antibodies. RESULTS A total of 211,331 first-time blood donors (43.7% males, median age 25 years) were analyzed. HBsAg prevalence decreased from 0.06% in 2010 to 0.05% in 2018 (p = .004) and this declining trend was accompanied by an increased number of donors in the HBV vaccinated birth cohort (p < .001). HBsAg prevalence was 0.33% in foreign-born donors and 0.02% in Belgian natives (p < .001). Multivariate risk profiling showed that anti-HBc positivity was significantly associated with mainly foreign-born donors (odds ratio [OR] = 9.24) but also with older age (OR = 1.06), male gender (OR = 1.32), year of blood donation (OR = 0.94), and co-infections with HCV (OR = 4.31) or syphilis (OR = 4.91). DISCUSSION The decreasing trend in HBV prevalence could mainly be explained by the introduction of the universal HBV vaccination. Being born in endemic areas was the most important predictor for HBV infection while the co-infections with syphilis suggest unreported sexual risk contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels De Brier
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Özgür M Koc
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Medical Microbiology, School of NUTRIM, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emmy De Buck
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Muylaert
- Blood Service, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Hans Van Remoortel
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Compernolle
- Blood Service, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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Koc ÖM, Kuypers D, Dupont LJ, Vos R, Van Keer JM, Van Cleemput J, Robaeys G, Oude Lashof A, Kramer M, Verleden G, Verbeek J, Nevens F. The effect of universal infant vaccination on the prevalence of hepatitis B immunity in adult solid organ transplant candidates. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:105-111. [PMID: 32989861 PMCID: PMC7756211 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity is recommended to optimize outcomes after solid organ transplantation (SOT). This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of HBV immunity at the time patients were placed on transplant waiting list over a period from 1997 to 2019 in a low HBV endemic region. METHODS Data were obtained from the University Hospitals Leuven transplant database. Minors and patients with past/current HBV infection were excluded. From 1986, Belgian patients are covered by the universal infant vaccination; therefore, birth cohort was stratified in those born ≥1986 vs <1986. RESULTS The study population consisted of 3297 SOT candidates. HBV immunity rate was superior in renal transplant candidates (55.3%), and this number was 21.5%, 15.4% and 16.8% for liver, cardiac and pulmonary transplant candidates, respectively, P < .001. Among liver transplant candidates, HBV immunity rate was 14.8% in decompensated cirrhotic patients and 27.9% in those without advanced cirrhosis (P < .001). The overall immunity rate increased from 19.3% in period 1997-2008 to 32.8% in 2009-2019, P < .001. In multivariable analyses, younger age (odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-0.98, P < .001) and birth cohort ≥ 1986 (OR 95% CI: 1.18-2.66, P = .006) were associated with increased HBV immunity. CONCLUSION An increase in HBV immunity was observed over a 20-year period related to the introduction of universal infant HBV vaccination. Nevertheless, this study highlights the low overall HBV immunity at the time of listing for organ transplantation and points out the need of an increased awareness and vaccination strategy at an early disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgür M. Koc
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyZiekenhuis Oost‐LimburgGenkBelgium,Faculty of Medicine and Life SciencesHasselt UniversityHasseltBelgium,Department of Medical MicrobiologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)University MaastrichtMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Dirk Kuypers
- Department of Nephrology and Renal TransplantationUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Department of MicrobiologyImmunology & TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Lieven J Dupont
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Robin Vos
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jan M. Van Keer
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology & TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Department of CardiologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyZiekenhuis Oost‐LimburgGenkBelgium,Faculty of Medicine and Life SciencesHasselt UniversityHasseltBelgium,Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Astrid Oude Lashof
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Kramer
- Department of Internal MedicineDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Geert Verleden
- Department of Respiratory DiseasesUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jef Verbeek
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Koc ÖM, Kremer C, Hens N, Bielen R, Busschots D, Van Damme P, Robaeys G. Early detection of chronic hepatitis B and risk factor assessment in Turkish migrants, Middle Limburg, Belgium. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234740. [PMID: 32716949 PMCID: PMC7384618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Turkey is an intermediate hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic country. However, prevalence among Turkish migrants in Belgium is unknown, especially in those born in Belgium with a foreign-born parent, i.e. second-generation migrants (SGM). Aims To evaluate the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in Turkish first-generation migrants (FGM), i.e. foreign-born, and SGM. Methods Between September 2017 and May 2019, free outreach testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc), and antibodies against HBsAg was offered to Turkish migrants in Middle-Limburg, Belgium. Face-to-face questionnaire assessed HBV risk factors. HBsAg positive patients were referred and followed up. Turkish SGM were stratified into birth cohort born before and after 1987, since those born after 1987 should be covered by the universal infant vaccination program. Results A total of 1,081/1,113 (97.1%) Turkish did go for HBV testing. Twenty-six (2.4%) were HBsAg positive; 11/26 were unaware of their status and 10/11 were successfully referred. HBsAg prevalence was 3.0% in FGM and 1.5% in SGM, p = .070. Only one out of seven HBsAg positive SGM was born after 1987. In the multiple generalized estimating equations model, the most important risk factors for anti-HBc positivity were male gender (p = .021), older age (p < .001), FGM (p < .001), low educational level of the mother (p = .003), HBV infected mother (p = .008), HBV infected siblings (p = .002), HBV infected other family member (p = .004), gynaecological examination in Turkey or unsafe male circumcision (p = .032) and dental treatment in Turkey (p = .049). Conclusion Outreach testing was well-accepted and referral to specialist care was generally successful. National HBV screening should be implemented in the Turkish FGM population and might be considered in SGM not covered by primary prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgür M. Koc
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Cécile Kremer
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-Biostat), Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Niel Hens
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-Biostat), Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rob Bielen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dana Busschots
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Pierre Van Damme
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
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