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Preventing transmission of hepatitis B virus from people
with chronic infection.
American Journal of
Preventive Medicine 2001;20(4):272-276.
Weinberg MS,
Gunn RA, Mast EE, Gresham L, Ginsberg M.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are the major
source of HBV transmission in the United States. The Public Health Service
recommends prevention counseling for HBV-infected people and vaccination of
their household contacts and sexual partners. OBJECTIVES: To describe the implementation
of these recommendations by community physicians. METHODS: Telephone survey
of 69 people with chronic HBV infection and their healthcare providers, October
1997 through November 1997, in San Diego, California. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Counseling of people with chronic HBV infection and vaccination of their household
contacts and sexual partners. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of providers reported
providing prevention counseling to their HBV-infected patients to reduce transmission;
16% of patients reported receiving counseling. For the 32 pairs for which both
the patient and provider could be reached and the patients were aware of their
HBV infection, 20 (63%) providers reported counseling patients, and 10 (50%)
of these providers' patients reported receiving counseling. Fifty-five percent
of providers recommended vaccination of contacts; 13% of eligible adult household
contacts and sexual partners and 20% of eligible child household contacts had
begun hepatitis B vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention counseling of people
with chronic HBV infection and vaccination of their contacts occur infrequently
despite guidelines and an effective vaccine. Collaborative efforts between
providers and people involved in public health are needed to improve delivery
of these preventive health services.