INTRODUCTION: Paediatric sexual assault (SA) victims should be assessed for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to mitigate the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We describe the clinical characteristics of children and young persons (CYPs) presenting with SA at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore, viral PEP (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] and hepatitis B virus [HBV]) prescribing practices, and STI evaluation at follow-up. METHOD: Medical records of CYPs ≤16 years who presented with SA between January 2022 and August 2023 were reviewed, including assault and assailant characteristics, baseline and follow-up STI screening, PEP prescription, adherence and follow-up attendance. CYPs with SA in the preceding 72 hours by HIV-positive or HIV-status unknown assailants with high-risk characteris-tics were eligible for HIV PEP. RESULTS: We analysed 278 CYPs who made 292 SA visits. There were 40 (13.7%) CYPs eligible for HIV PEP, of whom 29 (82.9%) received it. Among those tested at baseline, 9% and 34.9% of CYPs tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis and Gardnerella vaginalis, respectively. None tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, HIV, HBV or hepatitis C. Majority of CYPs tested were HBV non-immune (n=167, 67.6%); only 77 (46.1%) received the vaccine. Out of 27 CYPs eligible for HBV PEP with immunoglobulin, only 21 (77.7%) received immunoglobulin. A total of 37 CYPs received HIV PEP, including 8 who were retrospectively deemed ineligible. Only 10 (27%) completed the course. Overall, 153 (57.7%) CYPs attended follow-up, and none seroconverted for HIV or HBV. CONCLUSION We report suboptimal rates of HBV post-exposure vaccination, and low compliance to HIV PEP and follow-up among paediatric SA victims. Factors contri-buting to poor compliance should be examined to optimise care for this vulnerable population.
Humans ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis/methods* ; Female ; Child ; Adolescent ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Male ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hepatitis B/prevention & control* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Sex Offenses/statistics & numerical data* ; Child Abuse, Sexual

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological method and Joinpoint regression were used to analyze the trend and other epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021 in National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. According to a 1∶1 matched case-control study design, logistic regression was used to investigate the risk factors of hepatitis C infection in 2021. Results: From 2004 to 2021, the reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City ranged from 2.37/100 000 to 10.46/100 000. The reported cases were mainly aged 30-60 years, and most of them were chronic. The reported incidence of hepatitis C showed an initial increase from 2004 to 2006 (APC=45.37%, 95%CI:-1.56%-114.69%), and declined after 2006 (APC=-9.21%, 95%CI:-10.70%-7.70%). Logistic analysis showed that history of surgery (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.08-3.14) and previous blood transfusion (OR=34.22, 95%CI: 8.05-145.41) were risk factors for hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: The reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City increases first and decreases later. It currently remains at a low level. The risk factors of infection are surgery and blood transfusion history. Safe blood supply and preventing iatrogenic transmission should be focused on the prevention of hepatitis C transmission.
Humans ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Hepatitis C/prevention & control* ; Risk Factors ; Incidence

Hepatitis A is a significant global public health concern, with severe clinical symptoms in adult cases that can progress to acute hepatic failure. With the implementation of comprehensive prevention and control measures based on vaccination, the reported incidence of hepatitis A in children has notably decreased in China, while the incidence of hepatitis A in adults has gradually increased. Vaccination against hepatitis A in adults remains a crucial preventive measure. This recommendation is formulated based on the World Health Organization's position paper on hepatitis A vaccines (2022), incorporating the latest domestic and international research advancements and opinions from domestic experts. Its aim is to provide recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination among Chinese adults, offering evidence for public health and vaccination professionals to scientifically use hepatitis A vaccines and maximize their preventive efficacy, thereby enhancing hepatitis A prevention and control efforts.
Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Hepatitis A/prevention & control* ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Vaccination ; Asian People ; China/epidemiology*

This paper summarizes the incidence, modes of transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic hepatitis E.
Humans ; Hepatitis E/prevention & control* ; Hepatitis, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Incidence

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological method and Joinpoint regression were used to analyze the trend and other epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021 in National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. According to a 1∶1 matched case-control study design, logistic regression was used to investigate the risk factors of hepatitis C infection in 2021. Results: From 2004 to 2021, the reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City ranged from 2.37/100 000 to 10.46/100 000. The reported cases were mainly aged 30-60 years, and most of them were chronic. The reported incidence of hepatitis C showed an initial increase from 2004 to 2006 (APC=45.37%, 95%CI:-1.56%-114.69%), and declined after 2006 (APC=-9.21%, 95%CI:-10.70%-7.70%). Logistic analysis showed that history of surgery (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.08-3.14) and previous blood transfusion (OR=34.22, 95%CI: 8.05-145.41) were risk factors for hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: The reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City increases first and decreases later. It currently remains at a low level. The risk factors of infection are surgery and blood transfusion history. Safe blood supply and preventing iatrogenic transmission should be focused on the prevention of hepatitis C transmission.
Humans ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Hepatitis C/prevention & control* ; Risk Factors ; Incidence

Female ; Male ; Humans ; Hepatitis A virus ; Incidence ; Hepatitis A/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology*

In China, the incidence rate of Hepatitis A has decreased from 56/100 000 in 1991 to 1.05/100 000 in 2020. The number of Hepatitis A outbreaks in China has decreased significantly, however, it has also happened in the last 5 years, and the risk still remains. In order to strengthen the technical guidance for the investigation and control of Hepatitis A outbreak, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) organized experts in related fields to compile this guideline. The main contents included outbreak definition, outbreak detecting and reporting, outbreak investigation and response, making conclusion and communication. This guideline is intended for use by staff at public health administrative departments, medical and health institutions, centers for disease control and prevention, health supervision agencies at different levels, and other relevant institutions, units and individuals. China CDC will update this guideline periodically based on the progress in this field and feedbacks during the implementation of this guideline.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Hepatitis A/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Public Health ; United States

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious health issue because of its severe sequelae. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is critical to eliminate chronic HBV infection. Here, we reviewed the progress toward the elimination of HBV infection in children in China in the recent decade. A universal hepatitis B vaccination program started from 2002 has been intensified, with the coverage of timely birth dose >95% of all newborn infants from 2012. Since 2011, China has taken a nationwide program to administer hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) with free of charge in all neonates of HBV-infected mothers, leading to a significant increment of timely use of HBIG. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was declined from around 10% among children in 1980s to <0.5% among children born after 2011. Administration of oral antiviral agents in HBV-infected pregnant women with HBV DNA >2 × 105 U/mL during the third trimester is increasing, which will further reduce MTCT of HBV. However, there are some challenges in the elimination of HBV infection in children, which need to overcome by the concerted efforts. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that China will achieve the goal set by the World Health Organization that the prevalence of HBsAg in children aged <5 years is ≤0.1% by 2030.
China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Hepatitis B/prevention & control* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology*

Objective: Despite the remarkable progress in efforts to control disease spread, the nationwide elimination of hepatitis B in China is still hindered by the persistently high rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Western China. This study aimed to evaluate the strategy of hepatitis B prevention and control in Western China and identify potential areas and strategies for improvement. Methods: Susceptible population vaccination, health education, professional training of doctors, and other prevention and control measures have been implemented in Wuwei city since 2010. Data were obtained from three representative cross-sectional serosurveys conducted in 2010, 2013, and 2015. The serum samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect the following seromarkers: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Estimates of variance were determined using Taylor series linearization methods. Results: The three serosurveys revealed decreases in the prevalence of HBsAg (7.19% in 2010 Conclusion Although vaccine-based prevention and control measures reduced the rate of HBV infection in Wuwei City over time, the hepatitis B infection rate in children younger than 10 years was still higher than the national average level. Therefore, the prevention and control of mother-to-child transmission and the management of the infected should be the focus of future prevention and control work.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Communicable Disease Control/statistics & numerical data* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B/prevention & control* ; Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Young Adult

Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; trends ; Disease Eradication ; organization & administration ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Public Health ; Singapore ; epidemiology