Samuel So
Publication Details
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3 For Life: a model pilot program to prevent hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer in Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
Am J Health Promot. 2009 Jan-Feb; (3): 176-81PURPOSE: 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. DESIGN: This pilot program offered low-cost HBV vaccination with free HBV testing targeted primarily at foreign-born Chinese adults. SETTING: Semimonthly screening and vaccination clinics were held in San Francisco, California, for 1 year. SUBJECTS: A total of 1206 adults accessed the program. INTERVENTION: 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. MEASURES: We compared the probability of completing a recommended vaccine series by HBV serologic status and sociodemographic characteristics. ANALYSIS: Proportions were compared using multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
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