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Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Manual
Perinatal
exposure to HBsAg positive mothers is a continuing problem with
acute and long term adverse effects for infants. The primary
objectives of the perinatal program are:
-
Test all pregnant
women for the hepatitis B virus.
-
Identify pregnant women who
are positive (+) for hepatitis B.
-
Ensure the newborn
receives appropriate prophalaxis as well as sexual/household
contacts.
The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
collaborates with laboratories, hospitals and local health departments to
ensure all positive lab reports are reported to the Arizona
Department of Health Services. Positive expectant mothers are
identified, offered services and tracked by the perinatal program
to ensure that exposed infants are appropriately treated
with hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine
within 12 hours of birth and complete the hep B series in the appropriate time frame.
Additionally,
the program offers free services to the sexual and household
contacts of the positive mothers, to ensure that they are tested
for the hepatitis B virus and if found susceptible, receive the
hepatitis B vaccine series.
The Arizona
Immunization Program Office receives federal funds from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist in
implementing the program in Arizona. The state Perinatal Hepatitis
B Program staff works with the local county health departments and
private physicians to implement the program. The program goals
are:
- Promote and
support the testing of all pregnant women for the hepatitis B
virus as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians
& Gynecologists and the CDC.
- Require
doctors and laboratories to report all positive hepatitis B
results to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
- Identify and
track positive mothers, their exposed infants, and household
and sexual contacts.
- Provide
state lab testing for uninsured or under-insured pregnant
women.
- Provide
testing and vaccine for hepatitis B exposed infants and
household and sexual contacts.
- Provide
education and educational materials to health care workers and
the community.
High risk case
management and follow-up are integral components of the program.
The cooperation of the medical community is essential to the
success of the intervention process. Additional information can be
obtained by contacting:
Perinatal Hepatitis B Program
Arizona Immunization Program Office
150 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-3630
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