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Poor adherence to treatment diminishes its individual and public health benefit. Financial incentives, provided on the condition of treatment attendance, could address this problem. Injecting drug users are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and transmission, but adherence to vaccination programmes is poor. We aimed to assess whether contingency management delivered in routine clinical practice increased the completion of HBV vaccination in individuals receiving opioid substitution therapy. In our cluster randomised controlled trial, we enrolled participants at 12 National Health Service drug treatment services in the UK that provided opioid substitution therapy and nurse-led HBV vaccination with a super-accelerated schedule (vaccination days 0, 7, and 21). Clusters were randomly allocated 1:1:1 to provide vaccination without incentive (treatment as usual), with fixed value contingency management (three £10 vouchers), or escalating value contingency management (£5, £10, and £15 vouchers). Both contingency management schedules rewarded on-time attendance at appointments. The primary outcome was completion of clinically appropriate HBV vaccination within 28 days. We also did sensitivity analyses that examined vaccination completion with full adherence to appointment times and within a 3 month window. The trial is registered with Current Controlled Trials, number ISRCTN72794493. Between March 16, 2011, and April 26, 2012, we enrolled 210 eligible participants. Compared with six (9%) of 67 participants treated as usual, 35 (45%) of 78 participants in the fixed value contingency management group met the primary outcome measure (odds ratio 12·1, 95% CI 3·7–39·9; p<0·0001), as did 32 (49%) of 65 participants in the escalating value contingency management group (14·0, 4·2–46·2; p<0·0001). These differences remained significant with sensitivity analyses. Modest financial incentives delivered in routine clinical practice significantly improve adherence to, and completion of, HBV vaccination programmes in patients receiving opioid substitution therapy. Achievement of this improvement in routine clinical practice should now prompt actual implementation. Drug treatment providers should employ contingency management to promote adherence to vaccination programmes. The effectiveness of routine use of contingency management to achieve long-term behaviour change remains unknown. National Institute for Health Research (RP-PG-0707-10149).

Background People with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) commonly experience social and self-stigma. This study sought to understand the impacts of CHB-related stigma and a functional cure on stigma. Methods Adults with CHB with a wide range of age and education were recruited from 5 countries and participated in 90-minute qualitative, semi-structured interviews to explore concepts related to CHB-associated stigma and its impact. Participants answered open-ended concept-elicitation questions regarding their experience of social and self-stigma, and the potential impact of reduced CHB-related stigma. Results Sixty-three participants aged 25 to 71 years (15 from the United States and 12 each from China, Germany, Italy, and Japan) reported emotional, lifestyle, and social impacts of living with CHB, including prejudice, marginalization, and negative relationship and work experiences. Self-stigma led to low self-esteem, concealment of CHB status, and social withdrawal. Most participants stated a functional cure for hepatitis B would reduce self-stigma. Conclusions CHB-related social and self-stigma are widely prevalent and affect many aspects of life. A functional cure for hepatitis B may reduce social and self-stigma and substantially improve the health-related quality of life of people with CHB. Incorporating stigma into guidelines along with infectivity considerations may broaden the patient groups who should receive treatment.

In Malaysia, one million individuals are estimated to be infected with the hepatitis B virus. A vaccine for infants has been compulsory since 1989, whereas those born before 1989 need to spend their own money to be vaccinated in private clinics or hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate and ascertain the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for adult hepatitis B vaccine in Selangor, Malaysia. In 2016, 728 households were selected through a stratified, two stage cluster sample and interviewed. Willingness to pay for hepatitis B vaccine was estimated using the Contingent Valuation Method, and factors affecting WTP were modelled with logit regression. We found that 273 (37.5%) of the households were willing to pay for hepatitis B vaccination. The mean and median of WTP was estimated at Ringgit Malaysia (RM)303 (approximately US$73) for the three dose series. The estimated WTP was significantly greater in those with higher levels of education, among Malays and Chinese (compared to others, predominantly Indians), and for those with greater perceived susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection. Other factors-perceived severity, barriers, benefits and cues to action-were not significantly associated with WTP for adult hepatitis B vaccination. Additional resources are needed to cover the households that are not willing to pay for hepatitis B vaccination. More awareness (particularly in regards to hepatitis B virus susceptibility) could change the national perception towards self-paid hepatitis B virus vaccination and increase hepatitis B vaccine coverage.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, and it can potentially affect mental health like depression. Resolved HBV infection, often perceived as a milder form of HBV infection, are often overlooked, and the association between it and depression remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between resolved HBV infection and depression. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2018, including 20,655 adult Americans. Resolved HBV infection was defined as HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and HBV core antibody (HBcAb) positive. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance baseline characteristics. Algorithms such as inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were also applied. Among the participants, 1,551 (7.5%) were reported to have resolved HBV infection. Depression was reported by 1,796 participants (8.7%), with a higher prevalence among those with resolved HBV infection (10.6%) compared to those without HBV infection(8.5%). PSM and IPTW revealed a significantly positive association between resolved HBV infection and depression (PSM: OR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.09–1.79, p  = 0.008; IPTW: OR = 1.48, 95%CI 1.26–1.74, p  < 0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the findings. The results suggest a complex relationship between resolved chronic viral infections and mental health. Based on this finding, it is advisable to conduct psychological monitoring and offer support to individuals who have achieved a functional cure for HBV. Further prospective studies are still needed to reveal the potential mechanism.

Background There is scare information about HIV co-infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Mozambique. This information is critical to ensure the treatment necessary to decrease the progression of liver disease and the transmission of both HIV and hepatitis. We assess the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV co-infections as well as associated risk factors among PWID. Methods The first Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey was conducted in 2013–2014 among persons who self-reported to have ever injected drugs. Using respondent-driven sampling, PWID aged 18 years and older were recruited in two cross-sectional samples in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala, two large urban centers of Mozambique. Rapid screening of HIV, HBV (HBsAg) and HCV was performed on site. Data from participants in both cities were pooled to conduct RDS-weighted bivariate analyses with HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infections as separate outcomes. Unweighted bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess correlates of co-infection. Results Among 492 eligible PWID, 93.3% were male and median age was 32 years [IQR: 27–36]. HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence were respectively 44.9% (95% CI:37.6–52.3), 32.8% (95% CI:26.3–39.5) and 38.3 (95% CI:30.6–45.9). Co-infections of HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV were identified in 13.1% (95% CI:7.2–18.9), 29.5% (95% CI:22.2–36.8) and 9.2% (95% CI:3.7–14.7) of PWID, respectively. Older age, history of needle/syringe sharing and history of injection with used needle/syringe was associated with HIV/HBV co-infection. Living in Maputo city, have older age, history of needle/syringe sharing and history of injection with used needle/syringe was associated with HIV/HCV co-infection. Conclusion There is a high burden of HBV and HCV among HIV-infected PWID in Mozambique. Our results highlight the need for targeted harm reduction interventions that include needle exchange programs and integrated services for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV, HBV and HCV to address these epidemics among PWID. Efforts should be made to strengthen ART coverage in the population as an important treatment strategy for both viruses.

Poor compliance with multi-dose vaccine schedules by adults for whom hepatitis (Hep) A and B vaccines are recommended contributes to major Hep A and B disease burdens among high-risk U.S. adults. Evidence on hepatitis vaccine series adherence, completion, timeliness of completion, and factors associated with these outcomes, is limited and not readily generalizable for U.S. adults. This retrospective, observational study examined adherence, completion, its timeliness, and the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on these outcomes among a large, geographically representative sample of U.S. adults. We analyzed the Optum Clinformatics SES administrative claims database (1/1/2010-6/30/2020) for recipients of 2-dose (HepA, HepB2) or 3-dose (HepB3, HepAB) hepatitis vaccines. Adherence was defined as receipt of booster doses within specified assessment periods, per label-recommended schedules. Completion (receipt of all doses) was assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.The study included 356,828 adults ≥19 years old who were continuously enrolled in a medical benefit plan for one (HepB2), six (HepB3; HepAB), or 18 months (HepA) prior to and following the index date (first observed vaccine dose). Adherence and 24-month completion rates were: HepA (27.0%, 28.4%), HepB2 (32.2%, 44.8%), HepB3 (14.3%, 37.3%), HepAB, (15.3%, 33.8%). Kaplan-Meier completion curves plateaued after about 6 months for HepB2 and about 12 months for HepA, HepB3, and HepAB vaccines. Logistic regression analyses showed risk for low adherence/completion was generally associated with male gender, younger age, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, lower educational or household income attainment, and more comorbidities. Adherence and completion rates for all hepatitis vaccine series are low, especially for males, younger adults, those with lower socio-economic status and more comorbidities. To our knowledge, this is the largest claims-based analysis of adherence and completion rates for U.S. adults initiating all currently available HepA and HepB vaccines. Findings may inform hepatitis vaccination programming.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection creates a global health burden with significant morbidity and mortality. Healthcare workers, including nurses and midwives, are at higher risk of acquiring the disease. While health-related behaviours are affected by different aspects of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP), there are few studies examining the KAP level of healthcare workers towards HBV infection in Sudan. The purpose of this study was to examine the KAP level of nurses and midwives towards HBV virus infection in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study was conducted in two public maternity hospitals (Saudi and Saad Abul-Eleella hospitals) in Khartoum state of, Sudan. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was constructed and implemented to examine KAP towards HBV infection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version of 21 was utilized to conduct statistical analysis and examine the data at hand. Chi-square test was used implemented to determine the relationship between categorical variables. Results A total of 110 nurses and midwives from the both hospitals participated in this study. More than half of the respondents (58.2%) had an average level of knowledge, two-third of the respondents had a safe practice, and the majority of the respondents had a favourable attitude towards HBV preventive measures. Approximately half of the participants (51.8%) had a history of needle stick injuries. Half of the participants had inaccurate concepts about post exposure prophylaxis to HBV infection, while more than half of the nurses and midwives didn’t complete the vaccination schedule for HBV. Conclusion Most of the nurses and midwives in Saudi and Saad Abul-Eleella hospitals were aware of HBV infection. However, a significant proportion of the participants lack the requisite knowledge about post exposure management. The study revealed a low level of HBV vaccination coverage rate and a high rate of needle stick injuries. Further strategies for preventing workplace exposure, training programs on HBV infection, including post exposure prophylaxis, and increasing vaccination coverage rate of all HCWS are highly recommended.

Background Evidence on the association between viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, and depressive symptoms remains limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate this relationship. Methods We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018. HBV or HCV infections were identified through serological testing, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used, with additional subgroup and interaction analyses. Additionally, viral hepatitis was categorized as never infected, previously infected, or actively infected to compare risks by infection status. Results Among 25,635 participants, 456 had HBV or HCV infection. Compared with uninfected individuals, those with viral hepatitis had higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.22–2.43). When depressive symptoms were categorized by severity, viral hepatitis was associated with mild (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.10), moderate (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.25–3.09), and severe depression (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.08–2.81). Viral hepatitis was also associated with higher PHQ-9 scores (β = 1.06, 95% CI 0.36–1.77). No significant effect modification was detected across age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, marital status, poverty-income ratio, body mass index, smoking status or alcohol use (all p for interaction > 0.05). When infection status was further stratified, only active infection was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.19–2.33). Conclusions Viral hepatitis was independently associated with depressive symptoms, and this relationship was driven primarily by active infection. As causality cannot be inferred from cross-sectional data, longitudinal studies are warranted.

Background The advent of effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), has prompted an assessment of the French Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening strategy, which historically targeted high-risk groups. One of the options put forward is the implementation of combined (i.e., simultaneous) HCV, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV screening for all adults at least once during their lifetime (“universal combined screening”). However, recent national survey-based data are lacking to guide decision-making regarding which new strategy to implement. Accordingly, we aimed to provide updated data for both chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and B (CHB) prevalence and for HCV and HBV screening history, using data from the BaroTest and 2016 Health Barometer (2016-HB) studies, respectively. Methods 2016-HB was a national cross-sectional phone based health survey conducted in 2016 among 20,032 randomly selected individuals from the general population in mainland France. BaroTest was a virological sub-study nested in 2016-HB. Data collected for BaroTest were based on home blood self-sampling on dried blood spots (DBS). Results From 6945 analyzed DBS, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and B (CHB) prevalence was estimated at 0.30% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.13-0.70) and 0.30% (95% CI: 0.13-0.70), respectively. The proportion of individuals aware of their status was estimated at 80.6% (95% CI: 44.2-95.6) for CHC and 17.5% (95% CI: 4.9-46.4) for CHB. Universal combined screening would involve testing between 32.6 and 85.3% of 15-75 year olds according to whether we consider only individuals not previously tested for any of the three viruses, or also those already tested for one or two of the viruses. Conclusions Our data are essential to guide decision-making regarding which new HCV screening recommendation to implement in France. They also highlight that efforts are still needed to achieve the WHO’s targets for eliminating these diseases. Home blood self-sampling may prove to be a useful tool for screening and epidemiological studies.

Globally, there are 1.2 million new chronic Hepatitis B Virus ( HBV ) infections every year. The UAE is a low-endemic region where no previous studies have explored HBV stigma. This study aims to evaluate the UAE’s population HBV knowledge, HBV vaccine attitudes, and stigmatizing attitudes towards the HBV infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate knowledge and stigma; the previously-developed and validated stigma scale ( Hepatitis B Virus – Stigma Scale, HBV -SS) was used. A total of 601 responses were retained for analysis in both python-3 and R. Chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for bivariate analyses and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used for linear modelling. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, and goodness-of-fit was evaluated. Overall, 77.5%, ( n  = 466/601) reported having some knowledge regarding HBV , only 19.3% ( n  = 90/466) had good knowledge regarding HBV , with most gaps occurring with symptoms, complications, and treatment of the infection. However, 84.03% ( n  = 505/601) were interested in learning more about the virus. Only 57.6% ( n  = 346/601) were aware of the existence of the vaccine; however, attitudes to it were overwhelmingly positive. Overall, non-stigmatising attitudes dominated; however, both labelling and separating domains highlighted specific items with highly stigmatising attitudes. CFA showed the HBV -SS model to have acceptable/good goodness-of-fit. OLS identified higher knowledge levels among healthcare workers and those with higher perceived knowledge. Only perceived knowledge was a significant predictor of lower stigma beyond the bivariate level. The UAE population has shown low levels of knowledge but overall non-stigmatising attitudes. It is imperative that campaigns focus on improving general population HBV infection and vaccine knowledge while also solidifying the widespread level of vaccine acceptance and non-stigmatising attitudes.