From: WHO guidelines on testing for hepatitis B and C – meeting targets for testing
WHO TO TEST FOR CHRONIC HBV INFECTION | |
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Testing approach and population | Recommendationsa |
General population testing | 1. In settings with a ≥ 2% or ≥5%b HBsAg seroprevalence in the general population, it is recommended that all adults have routine access to and be offered HBsAg serological testing with linkage to prevention, care and treatment services. General population testing approaches should make use of existing community- or health facility-based testing opportunities or programmes such as at antenatal clinics, HIV or TB clinics. Conditional recommendation, low quality of evidence |
Routine testing in pregnant women | 2. In settings with a ≥ 2% or ≥5%%b HBsAg seroprevalence in the general population, it is recommended that HBsAg serological testing be routinely offered to all pregnant women in antenatal clinicsc, with linkage to prevention, care and treatment services. Couples and partners in antenatal care settings should be offered HBV testing services. Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence |
Focused testing in most affected populations | 3. In all settings (and regardless of whether delivered through facility- or community- based testing), it is recommended that HBsAg serological testing and linkage to care and treatment services be offered to the following individuals: • Adults and adolescents from populations most affected by HBV infectiond (i.e. who are either part of a population with high HBV seroprevalence or who have a history of exposure and/or high-risk behaviours for HBV infection); • Adults, adolescents and children with a clinical suspicion of chronic viral hepatitise (i.e. symptoms, signs, laboratory markers); • Sexual partners, children and other family members, and close household contacts of those with HBV infectionf; • Health-care workers: in all settings, it is recommended that HBsAg serological testing be offered and hepatitis B vaccination given to all health-care workers who have not been vaccinated previously (adapted from existing guidance on hepatitis B vaccination g) Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence |
Blood donors Adapted from existing 2010 WHO guidance (Screening donated blood for transfusion transmissible infections h ) | 4. In all settings, screening of blood donors should be mandatory with linkage to care, counselling and treatment for those who test positive. |