Hepatitis B sero-prevalence and risk behaviors among immigrant men in a population-based household survey in low-income neighborhoods of northern California.
BACKGROUND
Despite an effective vaccine, 60,000 new HBV infections were reported in the US in 2004; 95% in adults. We evaluate HBV sero-prevalence, risk behaviors and self-reported vaccination among Latino immigrant, Asian immigrant and US born low income men in five northern California counties.


METHODS
Population based, cross sectional survey of HBV sero-prevalence and risk behaviors in men aged 18 to 35 years.


RESULTS
Among 1,512 men screened, Asian immigrants were most likely to have had prior HBV infection (15.1%) and chronic infection (3.8%) compared to US born (prior 5.1%, chronic 0.6%) and Latino immigrant men (prior 2.0%, chronic 0.3%.) Reported HBV vaccination was lowest for Latino immigrants (12%) compared to Asian immigrants and US born men (35% in both.) Latino immigrants reported less educational attainment, medical insurance coverage and access to a physician in the last six months.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers should routinely screen Asian immigrants for HBV regardless of their self reported vaccination status. Latino immigrants may comprise an important group of under-vaccinated, at risk persons in California. HBV testing and vaccination of immigrants soon after US arrival should be encouraged.
Levy
Vivian
V
San Mateo County Health Department, San Mateo Medical Center- Edison Clinic, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA. vlevy@stanford.edu
Yuan
Jinwei
J
Ruiz
Juan
J
Morrow
Scott
S
Reardon
Juan
J
Facer
Mathew
M
Molitor
Fred
F
Allen
Barbara
B
Ajufo
Barbara Green
BG
Bell-Sanford
Geneva
G
McFarland
Willi
W
Raymond
Henry F
HF
Kellogg
Tim
T
Page
Kimberly
K