Unlinked anonymous testing of residual samples to estimate age-specific HBV prevalence to inform feasibility of HBV screening

A substantial proportion of UK HBV infections are undiagnosed. Most people with chronic HBV are migrants whose risk for infection was in their country of origin, at a young age. These populations may be unaware of their infection and/or not currently engaged in health care services, and HBV testing may rarely be offered.

Building on HPRU work to evaluate HCV testing as part of established health care screens, we aim to establish the feasibility of HBV testing through established screening programmes to identify undiagnosed individuals and re-engage those not currently being monitored.