Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
10.5365/wpsar.2020.11.3.001
- Author:
Alice Unah Lee
1
;
Luke Mair
2
;
Bob Kevin
3
;
Lily Gandi
4
;
Olive Tarumuri
4
;
Caroline Lee
5
;
Sue Huntley
5
;
David Carl Hilmers
6
Author Information
1. University of Sydney, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Services, Hospital Road Concord, Sydney, Australia
2. Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, United Kingdom
3. Popondetta General Hospital, Popondetta, Papua New Guinea
4. Siroga Clinic, New Britain Palm Oil Company, Ltd, Popondetta, Papua New Guinea
5. Hepatitis B Free, Sydney, Australia
6. Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (TX), USA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
2020;11(4):06-09
- CountryWHO-WPRO
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects over 250 million people worldwide. In Papua New Guinea, the prevalence of CHB has been estimated to be over 8%, and it is a leading cause of death. To address this problem, an alliance was formed between the government of Oro Province, a large private employer and an Australian nongovernmental organization, which established a CHB test and treatment programme. Between 2014 and 2019, rapid hepatitis B surface antigen testing was performed on 4068 individuals in Oro Province. The crude prevalence rate was 12.98% and was significantly higher in males (15.26%) than females (10.94%) (P < 0.001). The rate was 4.72% among children aged 10 years and under, 12.81% among women of childbearing age (19–35 years) and 18.48% among health-care workers. These results indicate that the rates of vaccination at birth and later among women of childbearing age and health-care workers must be improved to prevent transmission of CHB.
- Full text:wpsar.2020.11.4-006.pdf
