Journal of Hepatology
Volume 57, Issue 6, 2012, Pages 1171-1176

Identification and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Chinese migrants: Results of a project offering on-site testing in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (Article)

Veldhuijzen I.K.* , Wolter R. , Rijckborst V. , Mostert M. , Voeten H.A. , Cheung Y. , Boucher C.A. , Reijnders J.G.P. , De Zwart O. , Janssen H.L.A.
  • a Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, PO Box 70032, 3000 LP Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • b Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, PO Box 70032, 3000 LP Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • d National Hepatitis Center, Amersfoort, Netherlands
  • e Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, PO Box 70032, 3000 LP Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • f Wah Fook Wui Foundation, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • g Department of Virology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • h Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • i Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, PO Box 70032, 3000 LP Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • j Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Background & Aims: Migrants born in countries where hepatitis B is endemic are a risk group for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Treatment options have improved, but due to the asymptomatic nature of chronic HBV infection, the majority of patients remain unidentified. Methods: In 2009, a campaign targeting the Chinese community was held in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The campaign combined disease awareness activities with free HBV testing at outreach locations. Chronically HBV infected patients were referred to specialist care based on a referral guideline. Before and after the campaign, knowledge of chronic hepatitis B was measured through questionnaires in a convenience sample of the target population (n = 285 and n = 277). Results: In a period of 3 months, 13 outreach activities took place and 1090 Chinese migrants were tested for HBV. Forty-nine percent had serological signs of a past or recent HBV infection and 8.5% (n = 92) were chronically infected. Thirty-eight percent (n = 35) of chronically infected patients were referred for evaluation by a specialist and of these, 15 started antiviral treatment within 1 year of follow-up. Before the campaign, 55% answered correctly to 6 or more out of 10 knowledge items. Knowledge was positively associated with educational level. After the campaign, an increase in knowledge was observed in participants with low levels of education. Conclusions: Chinese migrants could be reached with an outreach campaign, and on-site testing was well accepted. A high prevalence of chronic HBV infection was found and referral to specialist care and initiation of treatment was successful. © 2012 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Screening Chinese Migrants Awareness Hepatitis B Prevalence

Index Keywords

Netherlands Chinese Alanine Transaminase Follow-Up Studies follow up human HIV test middle aged Asian continental ancestry group priority journal Aged Hepatitis B virus school child Humans human tissue Adolescent male female Aged, 80 and over Referral and Consultation questionnaire prevalence Article adult Hepatitis B, Chronic serology chronic hepatitis B Transients and Migrants hepatitis B antiviral therapy Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84869221295&doi=10.1016%2fj.jhep.2012.07.036&partnerID=40&md5=6ec27766c9b86c813ac484f1e6c25b14
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.07.036
ISSN: 01688278
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English