Cost-effectiveness of preimmunization hepatitis B screening in high-risk adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The goals of this study were to estimate seroprevalence of prior hepatitis B infection among high-risk adolescents and to determine the cost-effectiveness of prevaccination immunity screening.


METHODS
The authors computed a "break-even" seroprevalence level calculated from current vaccine and administration costs. They then conducted a seroprevalence study of hepatitis B core antibody using sera previously submitted for syphilis serology from four-hundred adolescent and adult clients of sexually transmitted disease clinics. Finally, the authors compared age group-specific seroprevalence rates to the computed break-even seroprevalence.


RESULTS
Levels of prior hepatitis B infection for all age groups were lower than the break-even seroprevalence standard from which cost-effectiveness was calculated.


CONCLUSIONS
From the findings of this study, the authors concluded that routine preimmunization screening for prior hepatitis B infection would not be cost-effective for this population.
Blostein
J
J
Division of Immunization, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing, MI 48909, USA. blosteinj@state.mi.us
Clark
P A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines