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Hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence among children in Papua New Guinea, 2012-2013
Russel Kitau1, Siddhartha Sankar Datta2, Minal K Patel1
1Public Health Division, School of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; World Health Organization, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Expanded Programme on Immunization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, World Health Organization, Manila, Philippines; Expanded Programme on Immunization, National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Insights
Papua New Guinea
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 8% of Papua New Guinea's population.
- A national infant hepatitis B vaccination program was initiated in 1989, with a birth dose (BD) added in 1992.
- The Western Pacific Region aims to reduce chronic HBV infection prevalence to < 1% by 2017.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the national hepatitis B vaccination program in Papua New Guinea.
- To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among children aged 4-6 years.
- To evaluate vaccination coverage, including birth dose and completion of the 3-dose series.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, stratified, four-stage cluster survey was conducted in Papua New Guinea during 2012-2013.
- Demographic data and vaccination history were collected from 2,133 child participants.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was determined by testing blood samples from 2,109 children.
Main Results:
- Among 2,130 children with vaccination data, 28% received a birth dose (BD) and 81% received at least 3 vaccine doses.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence was 2.3% (60/2,109) among surveyed children.
- This study represents the largest and most geographically diverse assessment of HBV vaccination and seroprevalence in Papua New Guinea.
Conclusions:
- Progress has been made towards reducing chronic HBV infection in Papua New Guinea.
- Strengthening vaccination efforts, particularly increasing birth dose (BD) coverage and completing the 3-dose series, is recommended.
- Further improvements are needed to meet regional goals for HBV infection reduction.
Abstract:
Approximately 8% of the population in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To decrease the burden of chronic HBV infection, a national 3-dose infant hepatitis B vaccination program was implemented starting in 1989, with a birth dose (BD) added to the schedule in 1992. To assess the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination program, we conducted a serosurvey among children born after vaccine introduction. During 2012-2013, a cross-sectional stratified four-stage cluster survey was conducted to estimate hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence among children 4-6 years of age. We collected demographic data, vaccination history, and tested children for HBsAg. Of 2,133 participants, 2,130 children had vaccination data by either card or recall: 28% received a BD; 81% received ≥ 3 vaccine doses. Of 2,109 children providing a blood sample, 60 (2.3%) tested positive for HBsAg. This is the largest, most geographically diverse survey of hepatitis B vaccination and HBsAg seroprevalence done in PNG. Progress has been made in PNG toward the Western Pacific Regional goal to reduce the prevalence of chronic HBV infection to < 1% by 2017 among 5-year-old children. Vaccination efforts should be strengthened, including increasing BD coverage and completing the 3-dose series.
