HBV disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and populations from high prevalence countries, such as Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. For many migrants, primary care is the first point of entry into Australia’s healthcare system. Nurses, midwives, and GPs working in thecommunity are ideally placed to test, vaccinate, treat, and monitor those who are at risk.
This is particularly true for health professionals providing women with antenatal care. For some, antenatal screening will be the first time they learn of their HBV status.