OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, exposure, and immunity among Asian American college students as a basis for evaluating HBV screening and vaccination policy. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Self-identified Asian American college students aged 18 years or older were examined. Serological tests of HBV surface antigens, antibodies to HBV core antigens (anti-HBc), and antibodies to HBV surface antigens (anti-HBs) were used to determine HBV infection and immunization prevalence. RESULTS: Among US-born students (n = 66), none was infected with HBV, 68% (n = 45) had immunity from vaccination, and 1 student had evidence of past exposure to HBV. Among foreign-born students (n = 142), 4% (n = 5) had evidence of chronic HBV infection, 62% (n = 88) had immunity from vaccination, and 19% (n = 27) had results indicating past exposure to HBV. Asian American college students showed very little knowledge of HBV vaccination; 43% reported that they had received vaccination, whereas 50% did not know whether they had received it or not. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of current and past HBV infection among foreign-born Asian American college students is significantly higher (p < .01), than US-born students. The lack of awareness of their HBV-infected status points out the importance of routine HBV screening of high-risk populations such as Asian students.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, exposure, and immunity among Asian American college students as a basis for evaluating HBV screening and vaccination policy. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Self-identified Asian American college students aged 18 years or older were examined. Serological tests of HBV surface antigens, antibodies to HBV core antigens (anti-HBc), and antibodies to HBV surface antigens (anti-HBs) were used to determine HBV infection and immunization prevalence. RESULTS: Among US-born students (n = 66), none was infected with HBV, 68% (n = 45) had immunity from vaccination, and 1 student had evidence of past exposure to HBV. Among foreign-born students (n = 142), 4% (n = 5) had evidence of chronic HBV infection, 62% (n = 88) had immunity from vaccination, and 19% (n = 27) had results indicating past exposure to HBV. Asian American college students showed very little knowledge of HBV vaccination; 43% reported that they had received vaccination, whereas 50% did not know whether they had received it or not. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of current and past HBV infection among foreign-born Asian American college students is significantly higher (p < .01), than US-born students. The lack of awareness of their HBV-infected status points out the importance of routine HBV screening of high-risk populations such as Asian students.
Authors: Shuaibu A Hudu; Nabil S Harmal; Mohammed I Saeed; Ahmad S Alshrari; Yasmin A Malik; Mohd T Niazlin; Roshida Hassan; Zamberi Sekawi Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2016-09 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: Minjin Kim; Haeok Lee; Peter Kiang; Teri Aronowitz; Lisa Kennedy Sheldon; Ling Shi; Sun Kim; Jeroan Allison Journal: J Community Health Date: 2019-08
Authors: S A Hudu; N S Harmal; M I Saeed; A S Alshrari; Y A Malik; M T Niazlin; R Hassan; Z Sekawi Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2015-03-20 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Min-Jin Kim; Haeok Lee; Peter Kiang; Paul Watanabe; Maria I Torres; Patricia Halon; Ling Shi; Daniel R Church Journal: Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs Date: 2015 Jan-Mar