Journal of Clinical Virology
Volume 68, 2015, Pages 79-82

Hepatitis B infection prevalence by country of birth in migrant populations in a large UK city (Article)

Cochrane A.* , Evlampidou I. , Irish C. , Ingle S.M. , Hickman M.
  • a School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
  • b Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, United Kingdom, European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
  • c Public Health Laboratory Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Bristol, United Kingdom
  • d NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
  • e School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Many countries with low prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection recommend that migrants born in countries with higher prevalence are HBV tested. The cost effectiveness depends on the prevalence of HBV infection in the migrant population. In the UK the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended HBV testing of migrants born in countries with HBV infection prevalence >2%, but the prevalence in migrant populations in the UK is not routinely measured. Objectives: To estimate HBV infection prevalence by region of birth in migrant populations in a large UK city. Study Design: By retrospective data linkage HBV infection prevalence in migrant women tested in pregnancy was determined by UN region and sub-region of birth. Results: Of 5840 migrant women born in regions with HBV infection prevalence >2%, 101 were infected (prevalence 1.7%; 95% CI 1.4-2.1). Sub-regions of birth with low (<2%), intermediate (2-8%) and high (>8%) prevalence in the study population were: low - Northern Africa, Southern Asia, Western Asia, Eastern Europe, South Europe, Central America, Latin America and The Caribbean; intermediate - Eastern Africa, Middle Africa, Western Africa, and South Eastern Asia; high - Eastern Asia. Prevalence in the study populations, was generally lower than published estimates for the region of origin. Conclusion: In a large ethnically diverse city in the UK the hepatitis B prevalence in migrant populations for whom HBV screening is recommended is below the estimated cost effectiveness threshold. We recommend more targeted screening based on measured prevalence in migrant populations. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

Author Keywords

Screening global migrant Hepatitis B Testing Prevalence

Index Keywords

Pakistan South and Central America India Pregnancy Complications, Infectious human Ethnic Groups Poland ethnic group priority journal Eastern Europe screening test Central America Great Britain South Asia migrant Humans Emigrants and Immigrants Southeast Asia female Cities pregnancy prevalence Caribbean Article Retrospective Studies Southern Europe city major clinical study migration North Africa Somalia United Kingdom prenatal screening retrospective study hepatitis B
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84930526510&doi=10.1016%2fj.jcv.2015.05.009&partnerID=40&md5=ddaf61b00e7c60cec5d4c93875573d86
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.05.009
ISSN: 13866532
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English