BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan African nations have among the highest rates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide, but little is known about HBV infection in African-born persons in the United States. METHODS: From October 2011 to July 2013, community-based HBV screenings were conducted targeting persons originating from Africa in New York City. Persons were identified as currently HBV infected (HBsAg positive) or exposed (HBcAb positive). RESULTS: Overall, 955 persons were screened for HBV; the median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 35-54 years) and 75.5% were men. Of these, 919 persons had no history of liver disease, of whom 9.6% (n = 88) had current HBV infection and 73.9% (n = 679) had exposure. In logistic regression, older age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], .94-.99; P < .01) and female sex (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, .14-.75; P < .01) were less likely to be associated with HBV infection, whereas having a mother with hepatitis was associated with infection (OR, 18.8; 95% CI, 2.72-164.65; P < .01). HBV exposure was associated with older age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P < .01), whereas female sex (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, .33-.66; P < .01) and history of blood transfusion (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, .22-.83; P = .01) were negatively associated. A patient navigator linked 97% of infected persons to care. Eleven persons were recommended for treatment, of whom 9 (82%) started therapy. Three persons were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma on the first screening ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of HBV infection among African immigrants in the United States underscores a need for continued screening and linkage to care in this at-risk population.
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan African nations have among the highest rates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide, but little is known about HBV infection in African-born persons in the United States. METHODS: From October 2011 to July 2013, community-based HBV screenings were conducted targeting persons originating from Africa in New York City. Persons were identified as currently HBV infected (HBsAg positive) or exposed (HBcAb positive). RESULTS: Overall, 955 persons were screened for HBV; the median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 35-54 years) and 75.5% were men. Of these, 919 persons had no history of liver disease, of whom 9.6% (n = 88) had current HBV infection and 73.9% (n = 679) had exposure. In logistic regression, older age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], .94-.99; P < .01) and female sex (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, .14-.75; P < .01) were less likely to be associated with HBV infection, whereas having a mother with hepatitis was associated with infection (OR, 18.8; 95% CI, 2.72-164.65; P < .01). HBV exposure was associated with older age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P < .01), whereas female sex (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, .33-.66; P < .01) and history of blood transfusion (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, .22-.83; P = .01) were negatively associated. A patient navigator linked 97% of infected persons to care. Eleven persons were recommended for treatment, of whom 9 (82%) started therapy. Three persons were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma on the first screening ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of HBV infection among African immigrants in the United States underscores a need for continued screening and linkage to care in this at-risk population.
Authors: Ponni V Perumalswami; Stephanie H Factor; Luciano Kapelusznik; Scott L Friedman; Calvin Q Pan; Charissa Chang; Frances Di Clemente; Douglas T Dieterich Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2013-01-15 Impact factor: 25.083
Authors: M Chiaramonte; R Trivello; T Stroffolini; M E Moschen; M Rapicetta; T Bertin; G Renzulli; P Chionne; A Ciccaglione; R Naccarato Journal: Ital J Gastroenterol Date: 1991 Jul-Aug
Authors: Charles R Rogers; Ogechi Jessica Obidike; Sherrie F Wallington; Musse Hussein; Zahra A Mahamed; Jill Sampson Journal: Ethn Health Date: 2018-07-04 Impact factor: 2.772