Current state of and needs for hepatitis B screening: results of a large screening study in a low-prevalent, metropolitan region.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In low hepatitis B virus (HBV)-prevalent countries, most HBV-infected persons are unaware of their status. We aimed to evaluate whether (i) previous HBV-testing, (ii) physicians decision to screen, and (iii) CDC's recommendations identified infected individuals and which risk-factor groups needing testing.

Methods

During a mass, multi-center HBV-screening study from September 2010-August 2011, 3929 participants were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs and anti-Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBcAb). Questions on HBV risk-factors and testing practices were asked to participants, while participants' eligibility for HBV-testing was asked to study medical professionals.

Results

85 (2.2%) participants were HBsAg-positive, while 659 (16.8

SUBMITTER: Bottero J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3963888 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature