J N Zuckerman1, R Steffen. 1. Academic Unit of Travel Medicine and Vaccines, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the risks of infection with hepatitis B among European travelers and to compare this with the immunization status in various risk groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional telephone questionnaire survey of randomly selected subjects, in nine European study populations was used. A total of 9, 008 individuals were involved, with approximately 1,000 interviews conducted in each country in the native languages. Situations with a high risk of hepatitis B infection, such as invasive medical procedures, attending to a bleeding person, and skin perforating cosmetic practices, particularly when performed in countries with medium/high transmission risk, and vaccination status of travelers, were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Depending upon the destination, 6.6-11.2% of travelers were classified as at high risk of hepatitis B, with 24.4% vaccinated; between 60.8-75.8% of travelers at potential risk, with 19.2% vaccinated; and 33.4% of travelers where no hepatitis B risk was identified. Significantly more travelers who only visited medium/high endemicity regions exposed themselves to a high risk of contracting hepatitis B, (40, 10.5%) compared to travelers who only visited low endemicity regions (225, 6.6%; p <.01). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of travelers surveyed unwittingly exposed themselves to the risk of hepatitis B infection while at medium/high risk destinations. The majority of at-risk travelers had not been vaccinated, regardless of their destination. Improved advice and clear recommendations to avoid transmission are needed.
BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the risks of infection with hepatitis B among European travelers and to compare this with the immunization status in various risk groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional telephone questionnaire survey of randomly selected subjects, in nine European study populations was used. A total of 9, 008 individuals were involved, with approximately 1,000 interviews conducted in each country in the native languages. Situations with a high risk of hepatitis B infection, such as invasive medical procedures, attending to a bleeding person, and skin perforating cosmetic practices, particularly when performed in countries with medium/high transmission risk, and vaccination status of travelers, were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Depending upon the destination, 6.6-11.2% of travelers were classified as at high risk of hepatitis B, with 24.4% vaccinated; between 60.8-75.8% of travelers at potential risk, with 19.2% vaccinated; and 33.4% of travelers where no hepatitis B risk was identified. Significantly more travelers who only visited medium/high endemicity regions exposed themselves to a high risk of contracting hepatitis B, (40, 10.5%) compared to travelers who only visited low endemicity regions (225, 6.6%; p <.01). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of travelers surveyed unwittingly exposed themselves to the risk of hepatitis B infection while at medium/high risk destinations. The majority of at-risk travelers had not been vaccinated, regardless of their destination. Improved advice and clear recommendations to avoid transmission are needed.
Authors: Michael P Muehlenbein; Leigh Ann Martinez; Andrea A Lemke; Laurentius Ambu; Senthilvel Nathan; Sylvia Alsisto; Patrick Andau; Rosman Sakong Journal: Ecohealth Date: 2008-09-23 Impact factor: 3.184
Authors: A K Boggild; J Geduld; M Libman; B J Ward; A McCarthy; J Hajek; W Ghesquiere; J Vincelette; S Kuhn; D O Freedman; K C Kain Journal: Can Commun Dis Rep Date: 2014-09-18
Authors: Gemma Crawford; Roanna Lobo; Graham Brown; Chloe Macri; Hannah Smith; Bruce Maycock Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-12-16 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Andrea K Boggild; Jennifer Geduld; Michael Libman; Brian J Ward; Anne E McCarthy; Patrick W Doyle; Wayne Ghesquiere; Jean Vincelette; Susan Kuhn; David O Freedman; Kevin C Kain Journal: Open Med Date: 2014-02-11