BACKGROUND: Cambodia is highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Preventing perinatal HBV transmission should be prioritized in health facilities by providing hepatitis B vaccination to all infants within 24 h of birth (timely birth dose coverage). METHODS: Teams assessed birth dose policy, practices and coverage in hospitals and health facilities in 10 provinces in Cambodia. RESULTS: Fifty-one sites were assessed. Median (interquartile range) timely birth dose coverage was 66% (48-92%); coverage was 88% (range=60-96%) in facilities vaccinating on-site and 48% (range=20-52%) in those referring off-site (p<0.0001). Overall, 5 (29%) of 16 hospitals that referred vaccination off-site did not tell mothers vaccination should take place within 24 h of birth, and 6 (35%) discharged mothers when no vaccination services were available for infants to receive the birth dose. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns can miss a time-sensitive opportunity to be protected against perinatal HBV infection when they are referred for vaccination off-site rather than being vaccinated in the delivery facility. These data support the case to strengthen policies and practices to provide hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in the delivery facility.
BACKGROUND: Cambodia is highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Preventing perinatal HBV transmission should be prioritized in health facilities by providing hepatitis B vaccination to all infants within 24 h of birth (timely birth dose coverage). METHODS: Teams assessed birth dose policy, practices and coverage in hospitals and health facilities in 10 provinces in Cambodia. RESULTS: Fifty-one sites were assessed. Median (interquartile range) timely birth dose coverage was 66% (48-92%); coverage was 88% (range=60-96%) in facilities vaccinating on-site and 48% (range=20-52%) in those referring off-site (p<0.0001). Overall, 5 (29%) of 16 hospitals that referred vaccination off-site did not tell mothers vaccination should take place within 24 h of birth, and 6 (35%) discharged mothers when no vaccination services were available for infants to receive the birth dose. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns can miss a time-sensitive opportunity to be protected against perinatal HBV infection when they are referred for vaccination off-site rather than being vaccinated in the delivery facility. These data support the case to strengthen policies and practices to provide hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in the delivery facility.
Authors: Eric E Mast; Harold S Margolis; Anthony E Fiore; Edward W Brink; Susan T Goldstein; Susan A Wang; Linda A Moyer; Beth P Bell; Miriam J Alter Journal: MMWR Recomm Rep Date: 2005-12-23
Authors: Susan T Goldstein; Fangjun Zhou; Stephen C Hadler; Beth P Bell; Eric E Mast; Harold S Margolis Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2005-10-25 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Howard L Sobel; Jacinto Blas Mantaring; Francisca Cuevas; Joyce V Ducusin; Margaret Thorley; Karen A Hennessey; Soe Nyunt-U Journal: Vaccine Date: 2010-11-27 Impact factor: 3.641