ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of tools to identify and counsel patients at risk for sexually transmitted hepatitis B virus infection. Physicians were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group was provided with materials intended to encourage patients to return for counseling and to guide counseling concerning prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Baseline data on 457 patients at risk for hepatitis B virus infection showed that 7% had received prevention counseling and 2% had begun hepatitis B vaccination. Counseling was least likely to occur in obstetric-gynecologic practices, among uninsured patients, and among patients whose only risk factor was a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease. After a 6-month intervention period 26% of the intervention group patients and 7% of the control group patients had been counseled (P <.01). Vaccination was more likely among intervention group patients (8% vs <1%; P <.001). The use of tools to identify and counsel patients at risk for sexually transmitted hepatitis B virus infection resulted in increased office-based prevention activities.
