title: Hepatitis B: report of prevalence and access to healthcare among Chinese residents in Sheffield UK.
abstract: Overall prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) in the UK is low. However, among migrants from endemic areas, prevalence has been shown to be high. Furthermore, timely diagnosis and/or referral are required prevent serious health consequences through early institution of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified locations that would be familiar to Chinese members of the community with the objective of facilitating testing. Dried blood spot samples were collected from 229 Chinese subjects and tested for HBV and also for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection--offering complete chronic viral hepatitis screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBsAg was positive in 20/229 (8.7%) participants, (10 F, 10 M). Five women and one man were aware of their condition, but only one man and none of the women were under specialist care. The average length of residence in the UK for positive patients was 15 years (range 2-40). Evidence of HBV past infection, HBcAb(+)/HBsAg(-), was seen in 28/229 participants (12.2%). HCV antibody testing produced negative results in all participants. The methodology of testing was well accepted, 139/144 (95%) responded to a feedback questionnaire declaring no discomfort and 100% finding the information session useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This model of outreach testing is helpful for addressing health inequalities afflicting the UK's Chinese community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK. Electronic address: alicia.vedio@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Alicia B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Vedio
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ellam
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rayner
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Goura
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kudesia
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McKendrick
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
keywords: Chinese; HBV; Healthcare access; Hepatitis B; Migrant health; Prevalence