The first batch of safety kits assembled to help prevent the spread of hepatitis in O'ahu's homeless population has been distributed at the Next Step shelter in Kaka'ako.

The Hepatitis Prevention, Education, Treatment and Support Network of Hawai'i and OutPatient Intravenous Infusion Therapy Association began collecting donations for the kits in June and handed them out at the shelter Friday night.

Organization officials said people were then sharing personal-hygiene products, and they know of at least one case in which hepatitis may have been transmitted to an individual sharing a razor. They hope donations will help buy 1,000 kits containing razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, nail files, soap and other hygiene products.

The nonprofit groups intend to continue passing out the kits to homeless individuals for a year.

"This is the first step in prevention of (sexually transmitted diseases) and infectious diseases (among the homeless)," said Nova Lei Gonzales, the special projects director for the Hepatitis Network.

Hepatitis B and C prevention is of especially high concern in Hawai'i, where hepatitis B rates are among the highest in the nation, said Ken Akinaka, director of the Hepatitis Network.

Liver cancer, a long-term effect of hepatitis B, is more widespread in Hawai'i than in any other state in the nation, Akinaka said. He also said Hawai'i has a higher rate of hepatitis B and C than other states primarily because of Asian-Pacific immigration, adding that Asian countries have rates as high as 15 percent for hepatitis B.

The homeless population is more at risk because those unable to buy toothbrushes and razors may end up sharing — a common way of spreading infectious disease.

By Friday morning, Hepatitis Network and OPIVITA had collected more than 300 safety kits. About 200 were given to adults at the shelter. More than 300 adults and children are staying at the Next Step shelter.

On Friday night, volunteers registered the residents, screened them for disease and served meals.

"This is kind of getting my feet wet to help out and volunteer. It's a plus for me because I'm learning," said Natalie Kitamura, 35, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner student at the University of Hawai'i. "I brought my kids, too, so they can get their feet wet. It's good to teach them while they're young, to show them we're one race. We need to help each other."

Students from the John A. Burns School of Medicine also volunteered to assist with vaccinations for hepatitis A and B and various disease screenings.

"It's been wonderful for the students," said Jill Omori, president of Hawaii Homeless Outreach and Medical Education Project, the student-run free clinic at the Next Step homeless shelter. "It's really a win-win situation for both the homeless residents and the medical students because it's an invaluable experience for the students to ... learn what it's like to help the underserved."

Gonzales said the Hepatitis Network will continue raising money for more Save-A-Life safety kits and plan to help homeless in other areas of the Island. "Our goal (is) to have enough kits to give to as many homeless as we can," Gonzales said. "This is an ongoing project."

Gonzales said he enjoys helping homeless individuals because they need the help. "They're delighted ... because somebody's paying attention to their needs — on a human level."

Reach Robert Shikina at rshikina@honoluluadvertiser.com.