Evaluation on a pilot project for coverage promotion of timely-birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine among neonates in Gansu province

ObjectiveTo evaluate a pilot project for improving the timely-birth dose coverage rate of hepatitis B vaccine in Gansu province,and to provide evidence for making control strategy for hepatitis B. MethodsUsing probability proportionate to size sampling(PPS)method,30 villages in one of 7 counties in Tianshui city were surveyed.Totally 1 470 children and their parents were investigated about hepatitis B virus vaccination and awareness of hepatitis B before and after the implementation of the project.And 210 village physicians were investigated about factors affecting the timely-birth dose coverage of hepatitis B vaccine.In each county,2 medical institutions at county level or above and 3 township hospitals were randomly selected and investigated on hepatitis B vaccination among newborns and the rate of hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg)detection among hospitalized pregnant women,and the awareness or hepatitis B in medical workers. ResultsWith the implementation of the project,the timely-birth dose coverage rate was increased from 75.24%(1 106/1 470)to 94.83%(1 394/1 470).The hospitalized delivery rate was increased from 55.85%(818/1 470)to 81.43%(1 197/1 470).The rate of HBsAg detection among hospitalized pregnant women was increased from 80.00%(14 830/18 537)to 99.21%(32 584/32 842).The awareness rates of hepatitis B in the medical workers and the children's parents were significantly increased compared with those of baseline survey.The villages physicians reported that the major factors affecting the timely-birth dose coverage of hepatitis B vaccine were not knowing the birith of the neonate,the distance being too far to reach the newborns's home,and without hepatitis B vaccine at local area. ConclusionThrough implementation of the project,the timely-birth dose coverage rate of hepatitis B vaccine in Tianshui city was significantly improved.The awareness rates of hepatitis B in medical workers and children's parents were significantly increased compared with those of baseline.