Hepatitis B virus testing and linkage to care in a Canadian urban tertiary referral centre: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite universal vaccination, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health concern in North America owing to immigration. We aimed to characterize the number of people with a positive result of testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in Calgary, a large urban Canadian health care region, and to assess whether recommended laboratory tests and specialist consultation were done for those identified as HBsAg-positive.

Methods

Based on laboratory and Alberta Health Services administrative data, we identified all adults (age > 18 yr) with a positive HBsAg test result from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014 within the Calgary Zone. Demographic and relevant laboratory data were extracted within 6 months of a positive HBsAg test result, and referral to hepatolog

SUBMITTER: Lau KCK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5498308 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature