Research
Translating Research into the Jade Ribbon Campaign for Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention:
Translating Research into the Jade Ribbon Campaign for Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention
In 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued recommendations to address gaps in the timely identification and immunization of infants born to women infected with the hepatitis B virus. Our research includes a 3 year study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that aims to create an effective program to implement these recommendations and to improve the prevention of perinatal hepatitis B nationwide. This study is in collaboration with the Santa Clara County and Alameda County public health departments in California.
This study involves several components, including:
- Perinatal Hepatitis B Knowledge and Practice Surveys
Public Health Department surveys will evaluate current county practices in the surveillance and follow-up of hepatitis B positive pregnant women, their newborns and their household contacts.
Hospital Administrator surveys will assess knowledge and policies for the documentation and management of hepatitis B positive pregnant women in major birthing hospitals.
Health Care Provider surveys will survey obstetricians and nurses who provide care for pregnant women. These surveys will evaluate knowledge levels and current clinical practice for testing, reporting, and managing hepatitis B positive pregnant women and their newborns.
Hepatitis B Positive Pregnant Women surveys will measure knowledge levels on the patient level.
- Health Care Provider Education and Training:
Education is a powerful tool in the prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B, but in our preliminary data, we found that only 45% of providers educate their patients after they are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. This is an especially alarming statistic since chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease of the liver that requires regular screening and monitoring to prevent cancer. In order to better equip health care providers to educate their patients on the management of hepatitis B, we have launched education and training campaigns in hospitals and clinics across Santa Clara County. These sessions educate providers about the worldwide burden of hepatitis B, the importance of patient education and official recommendations for patient care practices.
Educational Resource Development:
In order to facilitate patient education and improve provider to patient communication, we have developed educational materials to be used by providers prenatally and post-partum. These materials are introduced in our health care provider education and training sessions and are disseminated to health care providers.
“Positive HBsAg Packet” This packet is designed for distribution in obstetrician offices and clinics during the first prenatal visit if blood tests confirm that a pregnant woman is hepatitis B positive. Packet contents include:
A referral form to the county perinatal hepatitis B prevention program for the provider to fill out and send to the public health department. This will help the program coordinator identify hepatitis B positive pregnant women so that social services and case management can be provided.
A hospital note for the pregnant woman to take to the hospital at delivery. This will notify their providers that the newborn needs HBIG and the first shot of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth to prevent perinatal transmission.
A “Know HBV” brochure and a “Hepatitis B and Moms-to-Be” brochure for patient education.
A checklist of important things to remember at the time of delivery.
“Hospital Discharge Packet” This packet is designed for distribution in the birthing hospital after delivery when the hepatitis B positive mother and newborn are ready for discharge. Packet contents include:
A congratulations card for the mother on the new addition to her family. This card includes a checklist of items for the mother to remember in order to care for her baby and manage her own health.
A postcard with listing of clinics locations available for free or low-cost screening and vaccination in the San Francisco bay area. New mothers can pass these cards on to family members or other household contacts.
A “Know HBV” brochure and a “Hepatitis B and Moms-to-Be” brochure for patient education.
An immunization record card for the newborn to remind the new mother to finish up the 3 shot hepatitis B vaccine series with the pediatrician.
A jade-colored “Chronic Hepatitis B Monitoring and Liver Cancer Screening Record” for the new mother to record her blood test and screening results as she is monitoring her own health.
Public Health Department Partnership
As a part of our research, we work closely with public health departments and perinatal hepatitis B program coordinators in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the nation. Since they are in the field and working with hepatitis B positive pregnant women and new mothers every day, these program coordinators and their experiences are instrumental in the development of our educational materials and a model program that is adoptable for public health departments nationwide. This website seeks to serve as a national platform for all program coordinators to ask questions, find resources and share best practices.
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