RESUMO
The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of childhood hepatitis B virus transmission in children born in the UK, a very low-prevalence country, that is preventable only by universal hepatitis B immunization of infants. Oral fluid specimens were collected from schoolchildren aged 7-11 years in four inner city multi-ethnic areas and tested for the presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Those found positive or indeterminate were followed up with testing on serum to confirm their hepatitis B status. The overall prevalence of anti-HBc in children was low [0.26%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.44]. The estimated average annual incidence of hepatitis B was estimated to be 29.26/100 000 children (95% CI 16.00-49.08). The total incidence that is preventable only by a universal infant immunization programme in the UK was estimated to be between 5.00 and 12.49/100 000. The study demonstrates that the extent of horizontal childhood hepatitis B virus transmission is low in children born in the UK and suggests that schools in the UK are an uncommon setting for the transmission of the virus. Targeted hepatitis B testing and immunization of migrants from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries is likely to be a more effective measure to reduce childhood transmission than a universal infant immunization programme.
Assuntos
Etnicidade , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Hepatite B/transmissão , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Emigrantes e Imigrantes , Inglaterra/epidemiologia , Família , Feminino , Hepatite B/etnologia , Hepatite B/prevenção & controle , Vírus da Hepatite B/imunologia , Humanos , Masculino , Vigilância da População , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Arrangements that were made to receive and support Kosovan refugees in the United Kingdom should be applied to asylum seekers arriving in the country.
Assuntos
Atenção à Saúde/organização & administração , Refugiados/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Emigração e Imigração/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde/organização & administração , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação das Necessidades/organização & administração , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Reino Unido , Iugoslávia/etnologiaRESUMO
In a randomized controlled trial, an intensive promotional campaign failed to increase the uptake of vaccination against influenza among health care workers. The uptake of vaccination was low.