Hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare personnel in American Samoa: pre-implementation survey for policy decision.
American Samoa does not have a hepatitis B vaccination policy for healthcare personnel (HCP). Consequently, hepatitis B has remained a health threat to HCP. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional study and examined demographic and risk information and hepatitis B vaccination, testing, and serostatus in hospital employees in American Samoa. Of 604 hospital employees, 231 (38·2%) participated, and of these, 158 (68·4%) were HCP. Of HCP participants, 1·9% had chronic hepatitis B infection, 36·1% were susceptible, and 60·8% were immune. Nearly half of HCP participants reported history of needlestick injury. Overall, participants' knowledge of their hepatitis B infection and vaccination status was low. These data support the adoption of a hepatitis B vaccination policy for HCP by American Samoa, as currently recommended by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adherence to the policy could be monitored as a way to measure protection.
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
K N
KN
Ly
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
H
H
Roberts
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
R E
RE
Williams
American Samoa Immunization Program, American Samoa Department of Health, Pago Pago,American Samoa.
Y
Y
Masunu-Faleafaga
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
J
J
Drobeniuc
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
S
S
Kamili
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,USA.
E H
EH
Teshale
D000328:Adult; D018948:American Samoa; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines