title: Seroprevalences of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus among participants of an Asian health fair in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The seroprevalences of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively, in Canada, but varying rates have been reported in different populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the seroprevalences of HBV and HCV among attendees of an Asian health fair in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, as well as to correlate questionnaire answers regarding vaccination status to serological profiles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attendees at an Asian health fair were invited to participate in the present study on a voluntary basis. They provided answers to a questionnaire including ethnicity and vaccination status. Blood was then drawn for HBV and HCV serology. Active HBV was defined as HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positive while HCV seroprevalence was defined as HCV antibody reactive. Previous exposure to HBV was defined as HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) positive and HBsAg negative. Nonimmunity was defined as anti-HBc negative and HBV surface antibody negative. Only those with correct demographic information matched to serological results were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 192 consenting attendees of the fair, of whom 112 were included in the study. Of the participants, 91% were Chinese. Active HBV infection was found in three participants (2.7% [95% CI 0.6% to 7.6%]) and HCV infection was found in two participants (1.8% [95% CI 0.2% to 6.3%]). More than 40% of participants had been previously exposed to HBV (42% [95% CI 33% to 51%]). Almost 20% demonstrated nonimmunity to HBV (19% [95% CI 12% to 27%]). There was significant discordance when questionnaire answers regarding vaccination status were compared with serological profiles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seroprevalences of HBV and HCV in this cohort were 2.7% and 1.8%, respectively - higher than nationally reported rates. Our results highlight that the lack of knowledge of HBV infection and vaccination status remains a significant clinical issue in the Asian community of British Columbia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Jo-Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Kirby
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klassen
authors.affiliation: United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society (SUCCESS);
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Wc Peter
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.affiliation: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia.
authors.forename: Mel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krajden
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshida
keywords: Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Seroprevalence