ABSTRACT
Background: Migrants from hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic regions are at high risk of having chronic infection. Despite this, HBV knowledge and awareness programming, and low-barrier screening methods such as point of care (POC) testing, among this group have yet to become routine. Methods: We conducted a mass HBV POC screening and knowledge and awareness campaign for individuals of Chinese descent in Toronto, Canada. POC screening was administered, then participants completed a knowledge questionnaire. Logistic regression identified associations between demographic factors and participants' level of HBV knowledge. Results: From 2015 to 2018, 33 outreach events resulted in 891 individuals completing testing and the knowledge questionnaire. Individuals averaged 64.4 years old. Most, 62% (N = 552), were female, and 73.6% (N = 656) have been in Canada for <30 years. The average questionnaire score was 70.7% correct, with 65.2% (N = 581) demonstrating a high level of HBV knowledge. Post-secondary education (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.39), income of $50,000 to <$75,000 (OR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.39, 5.43), and having familial history of HBV (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.78) were associated with high knowledge. The observed prevalence of HBV was 1.5%, with 13 individuals testing positive on the POC test and confirmatory laboratory testing. Conclusions: Improving knowledge and awareness of HBV is critical to empowering people, especially migrants who experience barriers to care, to pursue vaccination, testing, and treatment. Combining knowledge outreach and POC test campaigns, enabled discussion and screening for HBV with large numbers of people, and can be tailored for optimal effectiveness for specific groups.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted routine healthcare services. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are often asymptomatic, and therefore, screening and on/post-treatment monitoring are required. Our aim was to determine the effect of the first, second and third waves of the pandemic on HBV and HCV testing in Ontario, Canada. We extracted data from Public Health Ontario for HBV and HCV specimens from 1 January 2019 to 31 May 2021. Testing volumes were evaluated and stratified by age, sex and region. Changes in testing volumes were analysed by per cent and absolute change. Testing volumes decreased in April 2020 with the first wave of the pandemic and recovered to 72%-75% of prepandemic volumes by the end of the first wave. HBsAg testing decreased by 33%, 18% and 15%, and HBV DNA testing decreased by 37%, 27% and 20%, in each consecutive wave. Anti-HCV testing decreased by 35%, 21% and 19%, and HCV RNA testing decreased by 44%, 30% and 36% in each consecutive wave. These trends were consistent by age, region and sex. Prenatal HBV testing volumes were stable. In conclusion, significant decreases in HBV and HCV testing occurred during the first three waves of the pandemic and have not recovered. In addition to direct consequences on viral hepatitis elimination efforts, these data provide insight into the impacts of the pandemic on chronic disease screening and management. Strategies to make up for missed testing will be critical to avoid additional consequences of COVID-19 long after the pandemic has resolved.
