Vietnamese community screening for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus

J Viral Hepat. 2011 Jan;18(1):70-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01278.x.

Abstract

Asian Americans represent an important cohort at high risk for viral hepatitis. To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HBV vaccination in a Vietnamese community, a total of 322 Vietnamese subjects from a local doctor's office and annual Vietnamese Health Fair were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were collected. 2.2% of the screened cohort tested positive for anti-HCV and 9.3% tested positive for HBsAg. Unlike HBV-positive subjects, HCV-positive subjects had significantly higher liver enzymes (P = 0.0045 and P = 0.0332, respectively). The HBV-positive group was more likely to report jaundice (P = 0.0138) and a family history of HBV (P = 0.0115) compared to HBV-negative subjects. Forty-eight patients (15.5%) reported a family history of liver disease (HBV, HCV, HCC, cirrhosis, other). Of this 48, 68.8% reported no personal history of HBV vaccination and 77.1% reported no family history of vaccination for HBV. Among the 183 subjects without a family history of liver disease, 156 (85.2%) reported no personal history of vaccination and 168 (91.8%) reported no family history of vaccination. HBV vaccination rates in those reporting a family history of liver disease were significantly higher (P =0.020). There was a high prevalence of HBV infection in this community screening. Nevertheless, the rate for HBV vaccination was low. The low prevalence of abnormal liver enzymes in HBV-positive subjects emphasizes the need for screening to be triggered by risk factors and not by abnormal liver enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Community Health Services / methods*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Vietnam / ethnology
  • Virginia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies