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Updated: May 17, 2026
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Using data to guide policy: next steps for preventing perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission in Cambodia
Sann Chan Soeung1, Chanthan Thiep, Richard Duncan
1Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Background:
Cambodia is highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Preventing perinatal HBV transmission should be prioritized in health facilities by providing hepatitis B vaccination to all infants within 24 h of birth (timely birth dose coverage).
Methods:
Teams assessed birth dose policy, practices and coverage in hospitals and health facilities in 10 provinces in Cambodia.
Results:
Fifty-one sites were assessed. Median (interquartile range) timely birth dose coverage was 66% (48-92%); coverage was 88% (range=60-96%) in facilities vaccinating on-site and 48% (range=20-52%) in those referring off-site (p<0.0001). Overall, 5 (29%) of 16 hospitals that referred vaccination off-site did not tell mothers vaccination should take place within 24 h of birth, and 6 (35%) discharged mothers when no vaccination services were available for infants to receive the birth dose.
Conclusions:
Newborns can miss a time-sensitive opportunity to be protected against perinatal HBV infection when they are referred for vaccination off-site rather than being vaccinated in the delivery facility. These data support the case to strengthen policies and practices to provide hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in the delivery facility.
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