The summaries are free for public
use. The Chronic Liver Disease
Foundation will continue to add and
archive summaries of articles deemed
relevant to CLDF by the Board of
Trustees and its Advisors.
Abstract Details
Acceptability and Feasibility of Home-Based Hepatitis B Screening Among Haitian Immigrants
J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Mar 9. doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01165-z. Online ahead of print.
Patricia D Jones12, Kristin Gmunder3, Saradjine Batrony3, Paul Martin34, Erin Kobetz35, Olveen Carrasquillo36
Author information
1Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. pdjones@med.miami.edu.
2Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Suite 1112, Miami, FL, 33136, USA. pdjones@med.miami.edu.
3Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
4Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Suite 1112, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
5Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Medicine and Population Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
6Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Abstract
Hepatitis B (HBV) is endemic in Haiti, therefore Haitian immigrants should be screened to identify and link affected individuals to care. Current screening approaches are ineffective. We assessed the acceptability and feasibility of home-based screening among Haitian immigrants using community health workers (CHWs). We recruited participants exiting a pragmatic trial evaluating strategies to improve care delivery (NCT02970136). Participants completed an acceptability questionnaire. Blood drawn by CHWs at participants' homes or community sites was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody. Of 60 participants, 59 found screening acceptable; 53 had blood drawn. Of those, 45.3% had HBV previously, 49.1% remained susceptible and 5.7% were vaccinated. Respondents cited various reasons community members might find screening unacceptable. The high prior HBV rate highlights the need for effective outreach programs. Home-based HBV screening was both acceptable and feasible among Haitian immigrants.