Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, anti-HCV antibodies and HIV and knowledge among people who use drugs attending methadone therapy clinic in Tanzania; a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Methadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and HIV among people who use drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge level of these conditions among people who use drugs attending a methadone clinic in Tanzania. Methods We enrolled 253 People who using drugs receiving Methadone therapy. Clinical data was retrospectively collected from the medical records and face-to face interviews were conducted to determine the behavioral risk factors and respondents’ knowledge on viral hepatitis and HIV. Results An overall seroprevalence of viral hepatitis (either hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis C virus) was 6.3%, while that of hepatitis B virus mono infection was 3.5% and anti-hepatitis C antibodies was 3.5%. Seroprevalence of HIV was 12.6%. Viral hepatitis was strongly predicted by advanced age (> 35 years) (p = 0.02) and staying at Kirumba area (p = 0.004), and HIV infection was predicted by increased age (> 37 years) (p = 0.04) and female sex (p < 0.001). Regarding the knowledge of viral hepatitis, majority of the respondents were unaware of the transmission methods and availability of hepatitis B virus vaccines and only 17% were classified as well informed (provided ≥4 correct answers out of 7 questions). Good knowledge was highly predicted by higher education level of the individual (p = 0.001). Conclusions Despite the efforts to curb viral hepatitis and HIV infections through Methadone clinics, infection rates among people who use drugs are still high and the general knowledge on preventive measures is inadequate.

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Seroprevalence and Knowledge of Viral Hepatitis and HIV Among People Who Use Drugs Attending Methadone Therapy Clinic in Tanzania: A Cross-sectional Study.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-116781/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Semvua Kilonzo ◽

Daniel W. Gunda ◽

David C. Majinge ◽

Hyasinta Jaka ◽

Paulina M. Manyiri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Viral Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

People Who Use Drugs ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

B Virus

Abstract Background: Methadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and HIV among people who use drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge level of these conditions among people who use drugs attending a methadone clinic in Tanzania.Methods: We enrolled 253 People who using drugs receiving Methadone therapy. Clinical data was retrospectively collected from the medical records and face-to face interviews were conducted to determine the behavioral risk factors and respondents’ knowledge on viral hepatitis and HIV.Results: An overall seroprevalence of viral hepatitis (either hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis C virus) was 6.3%, while that of hepatitis B virus mono infection was 3.5% and anti-hepatitis C virus mono infection was 3.5%. Seroprevalence of HIV was 12.6%. Viral hepatitis was strongly predicted by advanced age (>35 years) (p=0.02) and staying at Kirumba area (p=0.004), and HIV infection was predicted by increased age (>37 years) (p=0.04) and female sex (p<0.001). Regarding the knowledge of viral hepatitis, majority of the respondents were unaware of the transmission methods and availability of hepatitis B virus vaccines and only 17% were classified as well informed (provided ≥ 4 correct answers out of 7 questions). Good knowledge was highly predicted by higher education level of the individual (p=0.001).Conclusions: Despite the efforts to curb viral hepatitis and HIV infections through Methadone clinics, infection rates among people who use drugs are still high and the general knowledge on preventive measures is inadequate.

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Chronic viral hepatitis induced by hepatitis C but not hepatitis B virus infection correlates with increased liver angiogenesis

Hepatology ◽

10.1002/hep.510250142 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 229-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

R. Mazzanti ◽

L. Messerini ◽

L. Monsacchi ◽

G. Buzzelli ◽

A. L. Zignego ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Viral Hepatitis ◽

Chronic Viral Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B Virus Infection ◽

B Virus

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Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus transmission among children in Enugu, Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics ◽

10.4314/njp.v42i3.5 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 199-203

Author(s):

ND Uleanya ◽

EO Obidike

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Surface Antigen ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

B Virus

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection has reached pandemic proportions all over the world with areas of highest prevalence being the sub- Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Most deaths related to HBV are due to complications from chronic infection. Acquisition of infection at a younger age is the most important predictor of chronicity. Eradication of HBV is an important but difficult tasks facing public health. HB immunization is the single most important factor in hepatitis B control and was commenced in 2004 in Nigeria.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among children in the era of HB immunization, the risk factors of transmission and knowledge of mothers about their HB status.Methods: A cross sectional study carried out on one hundred and forty children aged 18 months to 15 years at the children outpatient clinic (CHOP) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined using Determine Test Kits and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire administered.Results: Six were positive for HBsAg, giving a prevalence rate of 4.3%. HBsAg was least prevalent among children 1-5 years (2%). None of the children ≤ 5 years who received HB vaccination was positive for HBsAg though one child > 5 years who received the vaccine was positive. Sharing of toothbrushes among siblings was found to be a significantly associated risk factor. Only 6.4% of mothers knew their hepatitis B status.Conclusion: There is a gradual fall in the prevalence of HBsAg in our environment due to HB immunization. Sharing of toothbrushes may be a potent means of transmission of HBV infection.Keywords: HBV, Prevalence, Children, Transmission, HB immunization

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Reporting the Undiagnosed Cases of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viruses among Patients Undergoing Elective Eye Surgery in a Specialized Eye Hospital in Egypt

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/3985865 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Ahmed A. Dahab ◽

Maha Mohamed Youssef ◽

Hany Mohamed Eid ◽

Khaled W. Elsadi

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eye Surgery ◽

B Virus ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Hepatitis C Viruses

Introduction. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and their long-term sequelae are considered a major health issue in Egypt. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among patients admitted for elective eye surgery in a specialized eye hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a specialized eye hospital, Cairo, Egypt. The study included consecutive patients admitted for elective eye surgery in the period from April 2015 to June 2016. Age, sex, and procedure done were recorded for all patients. All the subjects were screened for HBV and HCV by rapid chromatography immunoassay; if positive, the results had to be confirmed by ELISA. Results. 3067 patients admitted for elective eye surgery were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 50.85 ± 19.77 years. There were 1592 (51.9%) males and 1475 (48.1%) females. The prevalence of preoperative positive HBV and HCV was 7/3067 (0.2%) and 381/3067 (12.4%), respectively. Conclusion. Given the high prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in our population in general and in this study specifically, all patients admitted for surgery should be screened for both viruses.

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Frequency of Hepatitis B Virus carrier by Detecting AntiHBc Antibody among HBsAg Negative Blood Donors

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.3329/bjms.v15i1.27147 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 66-69

Author(s):

Kashfia Islam ◽

Mazharul Hoque ◽

Samsun Nahar ◽

Syed Dawood Md. Taimur ◽

Zeenat Farzana Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Medical Science ◽

Chromatography Method ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

B Virus ◽

History Of

Background & Objective: Transfusion associated hepatitis B virus (TAHBV) infection continues to be a major problem despite mandatory screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This is because HBsAg is not detected during the window period of the infection. This study was designed to assess the frequency of anti HBc antibody among HBsAg negative donor and also to determine the demographic profile of healthy blood donors.Material & Method: This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, BSMMU, Dhaka during the period of May 2014 to April 2015. A total number of 100 consecutive healthy blood donors who were clinically and physically healthy and serologically found to be free from HBsAg, HCV and HIV by rapid chromographic test were included in this study.Results: Within the 100 patients among them history of jaundice was found in 17(17.0%). There all (100.0%) subjects had negative HBsAg and 14(14.0%) subjects had positive anti HBc-Ab. Anti HBc-Ab was statistically significant (p<0.001) in Z-test.Conclusion: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anti HBc antibody among healthy blood donors with HBsAg negative in rapid chromatography method. The prevalence of anti HBc antibody was about 14 (14.0%) among 100 HBsAg negative blood donors. History of blood donation was found in almost two third 65 (65.0%). So, anti HBc antibody screening is an useful tool for estimating the risk of transfusion transmitted HBV infection.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.66-69

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Clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C virus antibody in hepatitis B virus carriers.

Kanzo ◽

10.2957/kanzo.33.511 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 33 (7) ◽

pp. 511-516

Author(s):

Kazuo NOTSUMATA ◽

Tadao YAMAZAKI ◽

Masayoshi ITO ◽

Yukihiro SAKURAI ◽

Satio TAKASU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Surface Antigen ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Virus Antibody ◽

B Virus ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

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Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Honolulu Students

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.92.4.574 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 92 (4) ◽

pp. 574-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eugene W. Pon ◽

Hexuan Ren ◽

Harold Margolis ◽

Zixian Zhao ◽

Gary C. Schatz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Surface Antigen ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

School Age ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Infection Rates ◽

B Virus ◽

Asian Pacific ◽

Antigen Antibody

Objectives. To determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier and infection rates and HBV epidemiology in Honolulu students. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. Honolulu public elementary, intermediate, and high schools. Patients. A volunteer sample of 4936 students from 43 Honolulu schools. Main outcome measures. HBV carrier rate (presence of hepatitis B surface antigen) and infection rate (presence of either hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, or any combinations of these) by school grade, ethnicity, and place of birth. Results. Eighty-three (1.68%) students were identified as HBV carriers, and a total of 353 (7.15%) students had serologic evidence of infection. Infection rates increased from elementary school age to high school age, more so in Asian/Pacific Island-born students. The prevalence of infection was higher in Asian/Pacific Island-born students than in those born in the United States. The majority of infected Hawaiian-born students were first-generation Asian/Pacific Island Americans. Conclusions. Horizontal transmission of HBV occurs in Honolulu school-age children. HBV immunization of all infants in Hawaii, not just those born to carrier mothers, is necessary to reduce HBV transmission in Hawaii.

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Knowledge, attitude and prevalence of hepatitis B virus among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional, hospital-based study in Bamenda Health District, NWR, Cameroon

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e031075

Author(s):

Etheline Akazong W ◽

Christopher Tume ◽

Richard Njouom ◽

Lawrence Ayong ◽

Victor Fondoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hbsag Positivity ◽

Increased Risk ◽

B Virus ◽

Hbv Transmission

IntroductionHepatitis B virus (HBV) is a bloodborne virus which can be transmitted via percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposure to infected body fluid. Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are continuously exposed to different body fluids are at an increased risk of contracting and transmitting this virus. It is thus important to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of HCWs towards HBV and the prevalence of HBV infection among them.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out between April and September 2017. Overall, 398 HCWs were recruited for this study. Knowledge on the route of HBV transmission and attitude towards HBV were evaluated using a well-structured questionnaire. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was obtained using the Monolisa HBsAg ULTRA kit (Bio-Rad). Data were analysed using SPSS V.20.ResultsAmong the HCWs who participated in this study, 338 (84.9%) had heard of HBV, and 269 (67.6%) of them had adequate knowledge on the route of HBV transmission. Medical doctors were the most knowledgeable among biomedical workers and students (76.5%). The rate of stigma was highest among nurses (87, 38.8%). The prevalence of HBsAg positivity was high (42, 10.6%) given that there is an efficient and available vaccine. Overall, over 70% of HCWs invited to participate in this study responded.ConclusionKnowledge on the route of HBV transmission was fair, and the level of stigmatisation of HBV-infected patients and the prevalence of HBV infection were high in this study. A sensitisation campaign should be carried out to educate HCWs on HBV, thus reducing the level of stigma associated with HBV as well as the probability of contracting HBV as a nosocomial infection.

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Cross-sectional hospital-based study on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among healthcare workers, NWR, Cameroon

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045716 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e045716

Author(s):

Etheline W Akazong ◽

Christopher Tume ◽

Lawrence Ayong ◽

Richard Njouom ◽

Sebastien Kenmoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Past Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North West ◽

B Virus

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health issue worldwide, with about 257 million people reported to be chronic carriers by the WHO fact sheet updated in 2018. HBV can be contracted via direct contact with infected body fluid and infection is almost always asymptomatic. Although healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of HBV infection, little is known about the prevalence of the various HBV markers among HCWs in Cameroon. The present study was taken to evaluate the prevalence of different HBV serological markers among HCWs in the North-West Region of Cameroon.MethodsThis cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out between April and September 2017 during which 395 HCWs were recruited. The serum of the HCWs were tested for the presence of HBV core antibody, hepatitis B surface antibody, hepatitis B e antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen using Monalisa ELISA kits produced by BIO-RAD laboratories. Data were analysed using SPSS V.20.0.ResultsAmong the 395 participants, 270 (68.4%) of them were females, 187 (47.3%) had been exposed to HBV, 145 (36.7%) had resolved the infection, 42 (10.6%) were current HBV carriers, 10 (2.5%) were infective, 36 (9.1%) were vaccinated and 172 (43.5%) were still susceptible. Exposure to HBV, past infection and susceptibility were significantly associated with age while the rate of vaccination was significantly associated with the job of the HCW in the health facilities.ConclusionThe prevalence of HBV exposure and infection among HCWs obtained in this study was high while the level of vaccination in this at-risk population was low. Adequate steps should be taken to sensitise this population on HBV and the vaccination procedure.

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