OBJECTIVES: To assess to what extent hepatitis B vaccination of sex workers in Ghent, Belgium, is successful within the context of the existing health services and to compare this with alternative approaches such as outreach programmes; to compare two hepatitis B vaccination schemes in the outreach programme for sex workers. METHODS: Testing all first contacts (n = 1096) in the outreach programme for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers assessed success of hepatitis B vaccination in routine services. The performance of the outreach service was measured by counting the number of sex workers who started hepatitis B vaccination in the programme. The hepatitis B vaccination schemes were assessed by analysing the number of people completing the vaccination. RESULTS: Naturally acquired HBV was found in 11.9% of 1096 sex workers (0.6% HBsAg), and 7% were vaccinated in existing services. In contrast, hepatitis B vaccination using outreach methodology was able to achieve higher vaccination rates: among non-immune sex workers 82.8% received the first dose of vaccine, and 71.5% the second. If given 1 month later, 67.9% received the third dose, in contrast with 47.9%, when given 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Existing services are not successful in vaccinating sex workers for HBV, in contrast with specifically targeted outreach services. Shorter intervals between vaccine doses gave better compliance.
OBJECTIVES: To assess to what extent hepatitis B vaccination of sex workers in Ghent, Belgium, is successful within the context of the existing health services and to compare this with alternative approaches such as outreach programmes; to compare two hepatitis B vaccination schemes in the outreach programme for sex workers. METHODS: Testing all first contacts (n = 1096) in the outreach programme for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers assessed success of hepatitis B vaccination in routine services. The performance of the outreach service was measured by counting the number of sex workers who started hepatitis B vaccination in the programme. The hepatitis B vaccination schemes were assessed by analysing the number of people completing the vaccination. RESULTS: Naturally acquired HBV was found in 11.9% of 1096 sex workers (0.6% HBsAg), and 7% were vaccinated in existing services. In contrast, hepatitis B vaccination using outreach methodology was able to achieve higher vaccination rates: among non-immune sex workers 82.8% received the first dose of vaccine, and 71.5% the second. If given 1 month later, 67.9% received the third dose, in contrast with 47.9%, when given 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Existing services are not successful in vaccinating sex workers for HBV, in contrast with specifically targeted outreach services. Shorter intervals between vaccine doses gave better compliance.
Authors: M Beutels; P Van Damme; W Aelvoet; J Desmyter; F Dondeyne; C Goilav; R Mak; L Muylle; D Pierard; A Stroobant; F Van Loock; P Waumans; R Vranckx Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 1997-04 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Celine A Hayden; Stephen J Streatfield; Barry J Lamphear; Gina M Fake; Todd K Keener; John H Walker; John D Clements; Debra D Turner; Ian R Tizard; John A Howard Journal: Vaccine Date: 2012-03-08 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: Benny J Kottiri; Samuel R Friedman; Gary L Euler; Peter L Flom; Milagros Sandoval; Alan Neaigus; Don C Des Jarlais; Jonathan M Zenilman Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2005-07-20 Impact factor: 3.671