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The evolving efforts to control hepatitis B virus.

R Arnot
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, hepatitis B virus continues to be a major health threat to populations in both developed and undeveloped countries. In undeveloped countries, this virus often infects children, who then have a high risk of progressing to chronicity. In developed countries, adolescents and adults are at risk of hepatitis B virus transmission during sexual contact. Those who progress to chronic hepatitis B risk premature death and serve as a reservoir for virus transmission. METHODS: Barriers to global control of hepatitis B virus and strategies for increasing awareness of vaccination for reducing risk for contracting hepatitis B were reviewed. RESULTS: With the varied patterns of infection and transmission, multiple strategies and recommendations have been proposed by health organizations around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted hepatitis B as one of eight infectious diseases that should be controlled through vaccination efforts. Canada and the United States have recently recommended universal hepatitis B vaccination for their adolescent populations. CONCLUSIONS: This hard-to-reach cohort may benefit from mass media educational efforts, especially the use of television. Control of hepatitis B virus continues to be elusive; therefore, an ongoing commitment to hepatitis B vaccination programs is warranted.

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AdolescentAdultAge DistributionChildChild, PreschoolCommunicable Disease ControlFemaleGlobal HealthHealth EducationHepatitis BHepatitis B VaccinesHumansIncidenceMalePrognosisRisk FactorsSex DistributionVaccinationWorld Health OrganizationJournal ArticleReview

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BibTeXRIS

R Arnot. 1998. The evolving efforts to control hepatitis B virus.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006454-199807001-00002

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