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Abstract Details
Hepatitis B testing and access to care among racial and ethnic minorities in selected communities across the United States, 2009-2010
Hu DJ, Xing J, Tohme RA, Liao Y, Pollack H, Ward JW, Holmberg SD. Hepatology. 2013 Jan 28. doi: 10.1002/hep.26286. [Epub ahead of print]
Source
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP).
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is widely prevalent among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States however few data have been available regarding HBV testing and referral to care for these populations. Using survey data collected in 2009-2010 from the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) across the US, we assessed rates and determinants of hepatitis B testing and access to care in 28 minority communities in the United States. Of 53,896 respondents, 21,129 (39.2%) reported having been tested for hepatitis B. Of the 1,235 who reported testing positive, 411 (33.3%) reported currently receiving specialty care. After controlling for demographic and socio-economic characteristics, the likelihood of having been tested for hepatitis B and receiving care if infected was higher among males, non-English speaking persons,and those having health insurance compared to their counterparts. Compared to college graduates, respondents without a college education were less likely to get tested for hepatitis B. These data indicate that more than half of racial/ethnic minority persons in these communities had not been tested for hepatitis B, and only about one half of those who tested positive had ever received treatment. More state and federal efforts are needed to screen racial/ethnic minority, especially foreign born persons for HBV and link those with infection to care.