Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 Dec;12(6):823-7. doi: 10.1007/s10903-010-9335-7.
Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) remains highly endemic in many parts of the world. Refugees resettling in their host countries may carry a significant burden of disease due to HBV and may require long-term medical care. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted to assess the epidemiology of HBV and entry into medical care in refugee communities resettled in the State of Georgia over a five-year period: 2003-2007. Among 6,347 refugees (89.7% of those resettled) screened for HBV infection, six hundred and eighty (10.7%) were found to be HBsAg seropositive. Those between the ages of 10-39 years of age contributed to the majority of cases; and most originated from Africa (71%). All HBsAg positive cases were adequately referred to a primary care physician for further management but there are no formal feedback mechanisms in place to learn if those who tested positive for HBsAg accessed the primary healthcare system. HBV infection is a frequent infection among refugees resettled in the US. but their entry into healthcare to treat those with chronic infection is often unknown. Further efforts are required to assure their entry into the healthcare system. Primary care physicians caring for refugee patients should think about verifying HBV-infection status as part of health maintenance protocols.
乙型肝炎病毒感染（HBV）在世界许多地区仍然高度流行。在收容国重新定居的难民可能因 HBV 而背负着重大的疾病负担，并且可能需要长期的医疗护理。本回顾性描述性研究旨在评估在佐治亚州重新定居的难民社区中，在五年期间（2003-2007 年）HBV 的流行病学和进入医疗保健的情况。在筛查 HBV 感染的 6347 名难民中（占重新安置难民的 89.7%），有 680 人（10.7%）HBsAg 血清阳性。10-39 岁年龄组的人群占大多数病例；并且大多数来自非洲（71%）。所有 HBsAg 阳性病例均已充分转介至初级保健医生进行进一步管理，但目前没有正式的反馈机制来了解 HBsAg 检测呈阳性的人是否已进入初级保健系统。HBV 感染是重新定居在美国的难民中常见的感染。但是，他们进入医疗系统治疗慢性感染的情况往往不为人知。需要进一步努力确保他们进入医疗系统。照顾难民患者的初级保健医生应考虑将验证 HBV 感染状态作为健康维护协议的一部分。
