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From the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, Concord, New Hampshire
Objective. To evaluate current performance on recommended perinatal hepatitis B and rubella prevention practices in New Hampshire.
Methods. Data were extracted from 2021 paired mother-infant records for the year 2000 birth cohort in New Hampshire's 25 delivery hospitals. Assessment was done on the following: prenatal screening for hepatitis B and rubella, administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose to all infants, administration of hepatitis B immune globulin to infants who were born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive mothers, rubella immunity, and administration of in-hospital postpartum rubella vaccine to rubella nonimmune women.
Results. Prenatal screening rates for hepatitis B (98.8%) and rubella (99.4%) were high. Hepatitis B vaccine birth dose was administered to 76.2% of all infants. All infants who were born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive mothers also received hepatitis B immune globulin. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the month of delivery and infant birth weight were independent predictors of hepatitis B vaccination. The proportion of infants who were vaccinated in January and February 2000 (48.5% and 67.5%, respectively) was less than any other months, whereas the proportion who were vaccinated in December 2000 (88.2%) was the highest. Women who were born between 1971 and 1975 had the highest rate of rubella nonimmunity (9.5%). In-hospital postpartum rubella vaccine administration was documented for 75.6% of nonimmune women.
Conclusion. This study documents good compliance in New Hampshire's birthing hospitals with national guidelines for perinatal hepatitis B and rubella prevention and highlights potential areas for improvement.
Key Words: hepatitis B vaccine hepatitis B surface antigen rubella rubella vaccine postpartum congenital rubella syndrome
Abbreviations: HBV, hepatitis B virus ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen HBIG, hepatitis B immune globulin CRS, congenital rubella syndrome NH DHHS, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services CI, confidence interval
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