title: Hepatitis B mass immunization of adolescents: a pilot study in a community.
abstract: The National Type Specific Hepatitis Surveillance System (SEIEVA) and seroepidemiological studies have shown that in addition to newborns from mothers who are carriers for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), adolescents are at high risk of acquiring type B hepatitis virus because of increasing importance of the heterosexual transmission of this virus. In order to evaluate logistic problems and acceptance rate of adolescents to mass vaccination against hepatitis B, a pilot study was carried out among all 7th grade children registered in the 9 schools of an hepatitis B endemic area located in the suburbs of Naples. After meetings held by the local health department with school teachers and parents, 1219 out of 1250 (97.5%) invited children received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine; 1215 and 1209 received, respectively, the second and third doses. Anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) values were studied in 406 subjects one month after the third dose, and 21 out of 406 (5.2%) had anti-HBs values less than 10 IU/L. We consider 95% of subjects with anti-HBs values greater than 9 IU/L a good achievement for a field vaccination program. The high acceptance rate of vaccination found in our study outlines the importance of active offer of vaccination combined with school involvement.
authors.affiliation: USL 17, Regione Campania, Marcianise, Napoli.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plaitano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sagliocca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bove
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Protano
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adamo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cauletti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasquini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013383:Suburban Population
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens