Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea.

Alice Unah Lee,Luke Mair,Sue Huntley,Lily Gandi,Caroline Lee,Bob Kevin,David Carl Hilmers,Olive Tarumuri

doi:10.5365/wpsar.2020.11.3.001

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects over 250 million people worldwide. In Papua New Guinea, the prevalence of CHB has been estimated to be over 8%, and it is a leading cause of death. To address this problem, an alliance was formed between the government of Oro Province, a large private employer and an Australian nongovernmental organization, which established a CHB test and treatment programme. Between 2014 and 2019, rapid hepatitis B surface antigen testing was performed on 4068 individuals in Oro Province. The crude prevalence rate was 12.98% and was significantly higher in males (15.26%) than females (10.94%) (P < 0.001). The rate was 4.72% among children aged 10 years and under, 12.81% among women of childbearing age (19–35 years) and 18.48% among health-care workers. These results indicate that the rates of vaccination at birth and later among women of childbearing age and health-care workers must be improved to prevent transmission of CHB.

Highlights

For HBsAg and began testing and vaccinating individuals in remote communities
In 2019, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a drug with proven efficacy against Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), was approved for use by the national Government, and the first patients have been started on TDF according to WHO treatment guidelines,[4] while population screening continues in government hospitals, outreach health fairs and companyoperated clinics
Volunteers from Hepatitis B Free (HBF), an Australian non-profit organization, were invited by community leaders and provincial health officials in Oro Province in PNG to address the gap in vaccination against hepatitis B in remote villages

Summary

Introduction

For HBsAg and began testing and vaccinating individuals in remote communities. Volunteers from HBF travel regularly to PNG and have established a formal partnership with the Oro provincial government, the provincial health department, Popondetta General Hospital and a private company, New Britain Palm Oil Ltd. The company is a large employer in Oro Province and provides health care to employees and families as well as to local nonaffiliated patients through a network of health clinics and aid posts. Volunteers from Hepatitis B Free (HBF), an Australian non-profit organization, were invited by community leaders and provincial health officials in Oro Province in PNG to address the gap in vaccination against hepatitis B in remote villages.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion