Optimizing hepatitis B prevention and control

Constantijn Frederik Hendrik Raven

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisExternal prepared

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Abstract

This thesis aims to provide insights on the knowledge gaps existing in prevention of hepatitis B through vaccination and case finding by means of active hepatitis B virus testing in the Netherlands. Recommendations to improve vaccination practice for persons who are not protected against hepatitis B after a first series of vaccinations are: the vaccines of choice are a vaccine with a higher antigen dose or an adjuvanted vaccine and the differentiated baseline anti-HBs titre should be used to determine the number of revaccinations. To facilitate HBV case finding in the Netherlands, sexual health centres should be seen as an important health setting to detect chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, as sexual health centres in the Netherlands contributed approximately for 1 out of every 10 notified chronic HBV patients. As migrant groups are the largest contributor of CHB in the Netherlands and screening for HBV is cost-effective for first-generation migrants, a pro-active approach in case finding towards this group should be developed. The results of the studies included in this thesis can be used to optimize prevention and control strategies for hepatitis B.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Hoebe, Christian, Supervisor
  • Visser, L.G., Supervisor, External person
  • Hautvast, Jeannine L A, Co-Supervisor, External person
  • van Steenbergen, J.E., Co-Supervisor, External person
Award date1 Oct 2021
Place of PublicationMaastricht
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789086665365
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis B vaccination
  • public health

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