Περίληψη:
The burden of disease due to chronic viral hepatitis constitutes a
global threat. In many Balkan and Mediterranean countries, the disease
burden due to viral hepatitis remains largely unrecognized, including in
high-risk groups and migrants, because of a lack of reliable
epidemiological data, suggesting the need for better and targeted
surveillance for public health gains. In many countries, the burden of
chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C is increasing due to
ageing of unvaccinated populations and migration, and a probable
increase in drug injecting. Targeted vaccination strategies for
hepatitis B virus (HBV) among risk groups and harm reduction
interventions at adequate scale and coverage for injecting drug users
are needed. Transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in
healthcare settings and a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among
recipients of blood and blood products in the Balkan and North African
countries highlight the need to implement and monitor universal
precautions in these settings and use voluntary, nonremunerated, repeat
donors. Progress in drug discovery has improved outcomes of treatment
for both HBV and HCV, although access is limited by the high costs of
these drugs and resources available for health care. Egypt, with the
highest burden of hepatitis C in the world, provides treatment through
its National Control Strategy. Addressing the burden of viral hepatitis
in the Balkan and Mediterranean regions will require national
commitments in the form of strategic plans, financial and human
resources, normative guidance and technical support from regional
agencies and research.
Συγγραφείς:
Hatzakis, A.
Van Damme, P.
Alcorn, K.
Gore, C. and
Benazzouz, M.
Berkane, S.
Buti, M.
Carballo, M.
Cortes
Martins, H.
Deuffic-Burban, S.
Dominguez, A.
Donoghoe, M.
and Elzouki, A-N.
Bouafif, N. Ben-Alaya
Esmat, G.
Esteban,
R.
Fabri, M.
Fenton, K.
Goldberg, D.
Goulis, I. and
Hadjichristodoulou, T.
Hatzigeorgiou, T.
Hamouda, O. and
Hasurdjiev, S.
Hughes, S.
Kautz, A.
Malik, M. and
Manolakopoulos, S.
Maticic, M.
Papatheodoridis, G.
Peck, R.
and Peterle, A.
Potamitis, G.
Prati, D.
Roudot-Thoraval, F.
and Reic, T.
Sharara, A.
Shennak, M.
Shiha, G.
Shouval,
D.
Socan, M.
Thomas, H.
Thursz, M.
Tosti, M.
Trepo,
C.
Vince, A.
Vounou, E.
Wiessing, L.
Manns, M.
