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[3-years' study of family contacts of HBsAg+ individuals]
P Pazdiora1, O Brejcha, A Kubátová
1Oddĕlení epidemiologie KHS, Plzen. pazdiora@khsplzen.cz
Insights
Free vaccination and screening for Hepatitis B (HBsAg) contacts are recommended in the Czech Republic. This proactive approach can prevent long-term health issues and reduce transmission within families.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Approximately 50,000 individuals in the Czech Republic are Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers.
- Family members and sexual partners of HBsAg carriers are the most vulnerable populations.
- Current practices involve offering laboratory examination for post-infectious hepatic markers and vaccination against viral hepatitis B to susceptible individuals.
Purpose:
- To assess the prevalence of post-infectious hepatic markers among contacts of HBsAg carriers.
- To evaluate the uptake and effectiveness of vaccination programs for at-risk populations.
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of screening and vaccination strategies for viral hepatitis B prevention.
Summary:
- A study involving 453 HBsAg carriers and 410 family contacts in the Czech Republic found that 19.0% of contacts had post-infectious markers and 78.3% of susceptible individuals were vaccinated.
- The estimated cost for nationwide screening and vaccination of contacts is 58.5 million Kc, reducible by 59.4% if laboratory tests are omitted.
- The findings highlight the need for legislative changes to mandate free vaccination for family contacts of HBsAg carriers.
Impact:
- Recommends immediate legislative changes in the Czech Republic to provide free vaccination for family contacts of HBsAg carriers.
- Advocates for developing efficient depistage and information transfer methods for early detection and prevention.
- Emphasizes the crucial role of general practitioners in the prevention and diagnostics of viral hepatitis B due to its long-term consequences.
Background:
About 50,000 HbsAg carriers exist in Czech Republic. The most endangered group is the family members and sex partners. On the basis of positive HbsAg laboratory findings we decided to offer laboratory examination of post-infectious hepatic markers and to sero-negative also the vaccination against viral hepatitis B.
Methods And Results:
The group of HbsAg carriers included 453 persons (253 males and 200 females), average age 42.3 years, within the range of 0 to 89 years. When samples were taken, 55.4% of examined persons were classified as "Healthy carrier". To offer of free examination and vaccination 410 family contacts responded. Postinfectious markers (HbsAg, antiHbsAg) were identified in 19.0% of examined persons, 78.3% of sensitive ones were vaccinated. When financial costs were evaluated, it is possible to conclude that examination and vaccination of contacts of HbsAg positive persons in the whole Czech Republic using the same method and similar collaboration may require 58.5 millions Kc. When laboratory tests were omitted, the costs may be reduced to 59.4%.
Conclusions:
On the basis of presented data authors deduce that the legislation of Czech Republic should be quickly changed to include the precept of free vaccination of family contacts of HbsAg positive persons. In accordance with it, rational method of depistage of those persons and information transfer should be developed. Considering long-term consequences of the viral B hepatitis, unreplaceable role in the prevention and diagnostics of the infection have general practitioners.
