Evaluation of Policies and Practices to Prevent Mother to Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in China (Cui, 2013)
Cui, Fuqiang, et al. “Evaluation of Policies and Practices to Prevent Mother to Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in China: Results from China GAVI Project Final Evaluation.” Vaccine 31, supplement 9 (December 27, 2013): J36-J42.
URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X12017021
Abstract
Background
Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) has remained a leading cause of HBV infection in China, accounting for 40% of total infections. Providing hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) to all infants within 24 h of birth (Timely Birth Dose, TBD), and subsequent completion of at least 3 vaccine doses is key to preventing perinatal HBV infection. In 2002, with the financial support of the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) targeted to Western region and 223 poverty-affected counties in Central region, hepatitis B vaccine was provided for free. In 2010, we evaluated the China GAVI project in terms of its activities to prevent perinatal infections.Objective
The objectives of the evaluation were to (1) measure achievements in the China GAVI project in terms of TBD coverage, and (2) describe practices for HBsAg screening of pregnant women and HBIG use outside the GAVI China project.
Cui et al. evaluate a Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI)-funded program in Western China aimed at increasing the number of infants who receive their first Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of delivery, called the timely birth dose (TBD). Prior to the program, mother-to-child transmission of Hepatits B accounted for 40% of all Hepatitis B infections in China. The authors found that 98% of infants born in the study region received the TBD, compared to only 73% when the program began.