Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Department 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.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Dec;23(6):1170-1178. doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01165-z. Epub 2021 Mar 9.
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.
乙型肝炎(HBV)在海地流行,因此海地移民应进行筛查,以发现并将受感染者与医疗服务联系起来。目前的筛查方法效果不佳。我们使用社区卫生工作者(CHWs)评估了海地移民中基于家庭的筛查的可接受性和可行性。我们招募了正在参加一项评估改善医疗服务提供策略的实用试验的参与者(NCT02970136)。参与者完成了一份可接受性问卷。CHWs 在参与者的家中或社区地点采集血液,检测乙型肝炎表面抗原、乙型肝炎表面抗体和乙型肝炎核心抗体。在 60 名参与者中,59 名认为筛查可以接受;53 人进行了采血。其中,45.3%的人以前有 HBV,49.1%的人仍然易感,5.7%的人接种了疫苗。受访者列举了社区成员可能认为筛查不可接受的各种原因。高的既往 HBV 发生率突出表明需要有效的外展计划。基于家庭的 HBV 筛查在海地移民中是可以接受和可行的。