Survey Reveals One in Six Hong Kong Residents Unaware of Hepatitis B Status
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Hepatitis Foundation in June 2024 has uncovered significant gaps in hepatitis B awareness and screening among Hong Kong residents. The findings reveal that approximately one in six to seven people in the city has never undergone hepatitis B screening, leaving them unaware of their infection status. Additionally, more than 70 percent of respondents were unaware of the government's Hepatitis B Co-management Programme, which was launched in February 2024 by the Primary Healthcare Agency. The foundation is calling for enhanced public education and community outreach to address these awareness deficiencies.
Key Points
- Hong Kong has approximately 410,000 chronic hepatitis B patients, predominantly those born before 1988 when universal infant vaccination began .
- The survey collected 201 valid questionnaires in June 2024, with 186 respondents born before 1988, representing a higher-risk group .
- Thirty respondents were confirmed hepatitis B patients or carriers, while 34 were uncertain about their status .
- The Hepatitis B Co-management Programme offers subsidized risk-based screening and ongoing management for eligible individuals, particularly family members of chronic patients .
- Among respondents, 146 people (72.6%) stated they were unaware of the screening programme, indicating insufficient public promotion .
Why It Matters
The prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis B carriers poses a serious public health risk, as silent transmission can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer over time. With the government's subsidized screening programme underutilized due to low awareness, the foundation's push for greater community education could help identify hidden cases and connect patients with timely care before complications develop.
The prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis B carriers poses a serious public health risk, as silent transmission can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer over time. With the government's subsidized screening programme underutilized due to low awareness, the foundation's push for greater community education could help identify hidden cases and connect patients with timely care before complications develop.