Public awareness of hepatitis B infection: a population-based telephone survey in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To test our hypothesis that there is inadequate knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B infection among the general population in Hong Kong. DESIGN: A random telephone survey using a structured multiple-choice questionnaire. SETTING: Hong Kong community. PARTICIPANTS: Hong Kong residents aged 18 years or above. RESULTS: A total of 506 respondents were successfully interviewed in February 2010. Approximately half of respondents (55%) were aware that hepatitis B virus is the most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis in Hong Kong. Regarding knowledge about the mode of transmission, mother-to-infant transmission and blood contact were recognised as risk factors by 67% and 65% of respondents, respectively. Transmission by sexual contact, sharing a razor or toothbrush, and tattooing or body piercing were appreciated by 44%, 41%, and 37% of respondents, respectively. A majority (73%) had the mistaken belief that the virus is transmitted by eating contaminated seafood. Over half of respondents (53%) knew nothing about the clinical presentation of acute hepatitis B. Only 35% of respondents realised that periodic abdominal ultrasonographic examinations are indicated for asymptomatic hepatitis B carriers. While 51% of respondents reported being tested for hepatitis B virus infection, only 36% acknowledged being vaccinated against the infection. Education level, occupation, and marital status were factors associated with both hepatitis B virus screening and vaccination. CONCLUSION: These findings support our hypothesis that there is inadequate knowledge and awareness about hepatitis B infection in the general population in Hong Kong.

48 weeks pegylated interferon alpha-2a is superior to 24 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha-2b in achieving hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B infection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although 48-week therapy with pegylated-interferons has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, the efficacy of a shorter duration of therapy with pegylated interferons is unknown. METHOD: We reviewed 53 hepatitis B e antigen positive Chinese patients treated with 48 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha-2a or 24 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha-2b. Sustained virological response was defined as hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and hepatitis B virus DNA <10(5) copies/mL at week 72. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were treated with 48 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a and 24 patients with 24 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2b. At the end-of-therapy, hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and hepatitis B virus DNA <10(5) copies/mL were similar between the two groups of patients [9/29 (31.0%) vs. 2/24 (8.3%), respectively, P = 0.09]. At week 72, 10 of the 29 patients (34.5%) treated with 48 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a compared with two of the 24 patients (8.3%) treated with 24 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2b had sustained virological response (P = 0.04). By logistic analysis, 48 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a was independently associated with sustained virological response (P = 0.04 adjusted hazards-ratio 9.37). CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to determine the optimal duration of therapy with pegylated interferons in chronic hepatitis B.