Abstract

3 For Life aims to increase hepatitis B virus (HBV) awareness and reduce the high prevalence of undiagnosed chronic HBV infection and susceptibility among Asian/Pacific Islander (API) adults.This pilot program offered low-cost HBV vaccination with free HBV testing targeted primarily at foreign-born Chinese adults.Semimonthly screening and vaccination clinics were held in San Francisco, California, for 1 year.A total of 1206 adults accessed the program.Participants paid a discounted fee for a full vaccine series against HBV, hepatitis A virus (HAV), or both. Participants also provided blood samples for HBV serologic testing. Test results, recommendations, and appointment reminders were provided by mail.We compared the probability of completing a recommended vaccine series by HBV serologic status and sociodemographic characteristics.Proportions were compared using multivariate logistic regression models.Nine percent of adults were chronically infected with HBV, and 53% were unprotected. In the latter group, 85% completed the HBV vaccine series. The probability of completing a recommended hepatitis vaccine series was similar across most sociodemographic groups, with slightly higher completion rates among middle-aged and Chinese participants.Lessons learned from this pilot program have been used toward successful replication in other cities, demonstrating that 3 For Life is an accessible, affordable, reproducible, and sustainable model to increase HBV awareness, testing, and prevention among API adults.

View details for Web of Science ID 000262498400004

View details for PubMedID 19149422