Study of the issues of receiving hepatitis screening and the rate of consulting hospitals—The rate of recognized receiving hepatitis screening and that of the unrecognized

According to the national sampling survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2012, the rate of hepatitis screening recognized receiving were 17.8% for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 17.7% for hepatitis C virus (HCV), but the rate of HBV screening was 57.7% and HCV screening was 48.1% including unrecognized person among 23,520 participants. We analyzed in detail and clarified the rate of hepatitis screening with the metropolis and districts and associated factors to undergo hepatitis screening. We conducted another national survey to determine the status of consultation following hepatitis examination and to show the issues in the current measures against hepatitis in Japan. The rate of consulting hospitals was 66.2% among 2,177 responses who were all positives for hepatitis screening. The result of hepatitis positivity has not led to the visiting of medical institutions. It was suggested that the establishment of the system to visit a doctor for the positives for hepatitis screening and public information about hepatitis were necessary.