scholarly journals Hepatitis B infection among indigenous people in Nepal: looking through an equity lens

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Purusotam Raj Shedain ◽  
Gehanath Baral ◽  
Basant Maharjan

Background: Disparity in health care service and disease prevalence are global issues. Hepatitis B infection is a global public health problem; its prevalence is ubiquitous and heterogeneous.This article reviews the situation and an impact of hepatitis B infection in the indigenous people in Nepal through the lens of equity perspective.Methods: Literature search and collection of information from different sources.Results: Hepatitis B prevalence is low (0.9%) at the country level in Nepal but higher, up to 38%, among the indigenous population compared to the national prevalence. Those who live in the high endemic areas are at risk of getting the infection from both vertical and horizontal mode of transmission. The unvaccinated cohort of infant (0-11 months) between 2003 and 2016 has swollen, 2764362 in number or 29 % of the total cohort. The National Immunization Program (NIP) administered hepatitis B vaccination at 6 weeks of birth, considering the low prevalence at the national level. The NIP does not prevent perinatal transmission of the infection. The mother to child transmission of the infection often leads to chronic liver diseases and about 20–30% of adults who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. The indigenous populations are thus disproportionately affected by the infection.Conclusions: The policy update is required to implement the hepatitis B vaccination at birth or within 24 hours in high endemic setting along with a comprehensive package to reduce the disparity, prevent the transmission, risk of chronic infection and its sequelae to achieve the national goal and international commitment on the sustainable development goal by 2030.

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-65
Author(s):  
O.A. Adeoye ◽  
O. Oniyangi ◽  
I.A. Ojuawo

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus infection remains a global pandemic. Co infection with hepatitis B virus leads to rapid progression to AIDS if not diagnosed and promptly treated or better still prevented. The study aims at determining the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B infection in HIV infected children being followed up at the Paediatric HIV clinic. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of 261 HIV infected children aged eight months to fourteen years to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B infection and pattern of hepatitis B vaccination was carried out between July and October 2012 at the Paediatric HIV clinic of National Hospital Abuja. Ethical approval was obtained from Ethical Committee of the hospital. Vaccination and transfusion history were obtained from the parents and guardians of the subjects using a proforma after signed informed consent. Blood samples were collected for Hepatitis B surface antigen screening and Hepatitis B screening in those with HBsAg positive blood samples. Results: Only 3 (1.15%) of the 261 HIV infected children had Hepatitis B infection. All the children less than 5 years old in this cohort received hepatitis B vaccination and none of them had Hepatitis B infection. The HIV/HBV co infected children were older than ten years (p = 0.047) and history of blood transfusion (p = 0.003) was also significant. However, scarification (p = 0.996), local circumcision (p = 0.928); uvulectomy (p = 0.898) were not significant risk factors in this cohort. Conclusion: There is need to intensify routine hepatitis B vaccination and routine screening of blood before necessary transfusion. This would further lead to a low prevalence of Hepatitis B in HIV infected children and the general populace at large.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco ◽  
Maria Rita Donalisio ◽  
Filomena de Jesus Oliveira Gabriel ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis is an important public health problem in Brazil and around the world. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccination coverage against hepatitis B in adolescents and to identify the associated factors and reasons for non-adherence. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study with sampling by clusters and in two stages, carried out from records of 702 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years old, non-institutionalized, living in an urban area of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008/2009. The data were obtained from the Health Survey in the city of Campinas (ISACamp). RESULTS: The prevalence of vaccination (3 doses) was 72.2%. An independent and negative association with the vaccine was observed for the adolescents who were not born in the municipality. The orientation of a health care provider was positively and significantly associated with vaccination. The main reasons for non-adherence were the lack of orientation and not considering the vaccine necessary. Socioeconomic factors, health behaviors and conditions did not restrict the access to vaccination, but the coverage was below the target established by the Ministry of Health in Brazil. CONCLUSION: Health education programs, addressing the importance of vaccination to prevent the disease; strategies to actively reach out adolescents that did not complete the schedule; as well as orientation from the health care professional about the benefits of the vaccine to the adolescents, parents and guardians can extend the vaccination coverage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
pp. 2131-2139 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. LAO ◽  
D. S. SAHOTA ◽  
S. S. H. SUEN ◽  
P. K. S. CHAN ◽  
T. Y. LEUNG

SUMMARYWe examined the impact of the neonatal hepatitis B immunization programme, first provided to all neonates born to mothers screened positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in late 1983, on the age-specific prevalence of HBsAg carriage in teenage mothers managed in 1998–2008. HBsAg carriage was found in 2·5%, 2·7%, 8·8% and 8·0% of mothers aged ⩽16, 17, 18, and 19 years, respectively (P = 0·004), which was also correlated with advancing age (P = 0·011). While neither difference nor correlation with age was found in mothers born before 1984, the prevalence of 1·2%, 1·5%, 7·1% and 8·3%, respectively, was significantly different among (P = 0·008) and correlated with (P = 0·002) age in mothers born 1984 onwards. Regression analysis indicated there was a significantly higher incidence of HBsAg carriage from age 17 onwards (adjusted odds ratio 2·55, 95% confidence interval 1·07–6·10,P = 0·035), suggesting that the protective effect of the vaccine declined in late adolescence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Subash Bhattarai ◽  
Merina Gyawali ◽  
Subash Sapkota ◽  
Dipesh Karki ◽  
Sudip Lamsal

Background: Hepatitis B vaccine is the single most effective and safest strategy for the prevention of the disease among health care workers (HCW), trainees and medical students. There is scanty information on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among medical students who are likely to get exposed in the future as they start practicing. This study was undertaken to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among clinical medical students of Manipal College of Medical sciences at Pokhara, Nepal.Methods: Two hundred and four medical students were enrolled for an observational, cross-sectional study at Manipal College of Medical sciences at Pokhara, Nepal after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee. Answers to pre-tested questionnaire were collected. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Hepatitis B vaccination were studied. Results: All participants demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitude towards Hepatitis B infection and vaccination. However majority had poor practice towards it. Only 47.1% were completely vaccinated. The most common reason for non vaccination was that many thought they will vaccinate in internship or when they start practicing.Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and positive attitude towards Hepatitis B infection and vaccination, low rates of vaccination and poor practice was observed among HCW indicating the necessity of encouragement for vaccination and proper practices among them. All medical students should be immunized against Hepatitis B during their medical school. Regular Hepatitis B vaccination, educational and awareness programs must be conducted in coordination and with active participation of the medical students.Keywords: Attitude; Hepatitis B; knowledge; Medical students; Practice; Vaccination


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-284
Author(s):  
Purusotam Raj Shedain ◽  
Gehanath Baral ◽  
Kamal Raj Sharma ◽  
Subhash Dhital ◽  
Madhu Dixit Devkota

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is heterogeneous and ubiquitous. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of the infection among the pregnant women who attended in a tertiary care hospital, transmission of the infection in their newborn and associated risk factors.Methods: A one year prospective study was conducted. Mother’s venous blood was collected for the hepatitis B serological test during the antenatal care or before delivery; the newborn’s cord blood was also collected for the HBsAg. Results: A total 16400 pregnant women were tested; of them 53 were HBsAg positive. The total prevalence of the infection was 0.32% among the pregnant: 0.5% among the indigenous and 0.2% in other than indigenous. The infection was significantly high in the indigenous group compare to other than indigenous [2.596 (1.475-4.569), p=.001]. Thirty-two out of 53 hepatitis B positive pregnant were delivered in the hospital, of them 75% (n=24) were indigenous and 25% (n=8) were other than indigenous. Eight out of 32 were highly infectious (HBeAg+), of them majority (75%) were indigenous ethnicities. Twenty-one out of 32 were anti-HBe reactive, among which majority were indigenous ethnicities (76.2%). Six out of eight babies, born with HBeAg reactive mothers, were infected (75%), of which majority were indigenous ethnicities (67%). In total, one-fifth of the newborn delivered were HBsAg positive (18.8%). Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among the total pregnant was low. The proportion of the infection in the indigenous ethnicity was significantly high compared to other ethnic group, which shows that the infection was clustered among the indigenous people. Keywords: Hepatitis B; indigenous people; newborn transmission; Nepal.


2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona S. El-Raziky ◽  
Manal A. El-Hawary ◽  
Khaled M. Salama ◽  
Ahmed M. El-Hennawy ◽  
Heba M. Helmy ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Vishal Khandelwal ◽  
Sushma khandelwal ◽  
Neetu Gupta ◽  
Ullal Anand Nayak ◽  
Namrata Kulshreshtha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus infection is a general cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma worldwide. It is highly contagious. It is an important reason for morbidity and mortality in the Indian population. Oral health professionals are at the highest risk. Vaccination for hepatitis B can prevent this deadly disease. Methods The present study was designed to evaluate the degree of awareness, knowledge of hepatitis B infection and status of hepatitis B vaccination among dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 students of 3rd year, 4th year and interns of a professional dental course. A pre-tested questionnaire was given to the students of each year. All the data management and analysis were carried out using SPSS software version 16. Results Eighty-six percent of the students had knowledge about hepatitis B infection. The majority of the students had correct knowledge regarding mode of transmission, however, 21% failed to recognize saliva as the mode of hepatitis B transmission. Forty-five percent of the students were vaccinated for hepatitis B. Conclusion The present study concludes that there is reasonable awareness of hepatitis B infection hazards, its transmission and vaccination, among the dental students who will be entering into the profession. However, half of the students were not vaccinated for hepatitis B in our study group, which keeps them at risk to the disease. The Indian Health Ministry should make hepatitis B vaccination mandatory for all health care professionals. A strategy should be executed for health education and compulsory vaccination of all students joining the health care professional colleges. Antibody titers should be routinely checked among those who are vaccinated.


2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. ANDERSSON ◽  
N. LOW ◽  
C. J. IRISH ◽  
N. Q. VERLANDER ◽  
D. CARRINGTON ◽  
...  

SUMMARYWe describe the largest outbreak of hepatitis B virus infection reported to date in the UK. Between July 2001 and December 2005, 237 cases were identified in Avon, South West England. The likely route of transmission was injecting drug use in 44% (104/237) and heterosexual intercourse in 30% (71/237) of cases. A case-control study in injectors showed that injecting crack cocaine [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 23·8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3·04–186, P<0·001] and sharing injecting paraphernalia in the year before diagnosis (aOR 16·67, 95% CI 1·78–100, P=0·010) were strongly associated with acute hepatitis B. In non-IDUs number of sexual partners and lack of consistent condom use were high compared to a national sample. We describe the control measures implemented in response to the outbreak. This outbreak has highlighted the problems associated with the low uptake from the national hepatitis B vaccination policy which targets high-risk groups, the difficulties of identifying those at risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection through heterosexual sex, and injecting crack cocaine as a risk factor for hepatitis B.


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