Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign
<strong>Background:</strong> Infections due to the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses constitute a global public health problem. Although screening of these infections remains a pivotal tool for timely detection and management of carriers, this preventive measure has been ne...
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2018-04-01
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doaj-294048dae2bf4de8b946f481b875001d2020-11-25T01:08:00ZengBaqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesHospital Practices and Research2476-390X2476-39182018-04-0133798410.15171/hpr.2018.1860715Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening CampaignAbdoul Rahamane Njigou0Joël Noutakdie Tochie1Celestin Danwang2Frank-Leonel Tianyi3Ronni Tankeu4Veronica Aletum5Mazou N. Temgoua6Pharmacy Departement, Mokolo District Hospital, Far-North Region, CameroonFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, CameroonDepartement of Surgery and Sub-Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, CameroonMayo Darle Sub-Divisional Hospital, Mayo Darle, CameroonDepartement of Internal Medicine and Sub-Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, CameroonDepartement of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, CameroonDepartement of Internal Medicine and Sub-Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon<strong>Background:</strong> Infections due to the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses constitute a global public health problem. Although screening of these infections remains a pivotal tool for timely detection and management of carriers, this preventive measure has been neglected in Africa.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> The current study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV as well as their risk factors through a screening campaign organized in a rural setting in northern Cameroon.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during a screening campaign for viral hepatitis organized at the Mokolo District Hospital, Cameroon, from January 19, 2017 to February 27, 2017. Sociodemographic data from all consenting participants was collected and examined for signs of chronic liver disease. Participants were then screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV using a rapid diagnostic test (ACON®).<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Of the 364 participants enrolled, 28.6% tested positive for HBsAg and 2.2% for anti-HCV. All HBsAg-positive and anti-HCV-positive individuals were asymptomatic and unaware of their infection status prior to testing. None of the socio-demographic factors assessed was associated with a positive HbsAg status.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> HBV and HCV infections are endemic in this rural health district. Participants who tested positive were apparently healthy and completely unaware of their infection status. Transmission of the hepatitis virus may be a public health concern in this district. It is recommended that community health education activities on preventive measures for HBV and HCV infections, regular screening for disease surveillance, and close follow-up of disease progression in these asymptomatic individuals be conducted.http://www.jhpr.ir/article_60715_291ab42236eeb7e3c3765b86faec65b0.pdfHepatitis B VirusHepatitis C VirusRuralCameroonScreeningSeroprevalence |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Abdoul Rahamane Njigou Joël Noutakdie Tochie Celestin Danwang Frank-Leonel Tianyi Ronni Tankeu Veronica Aletum Mazou N. Temgoua |
spellingShingle |
Abdoul Rahamane Njigou Joël Noutakdie Tochie Celestin Danwang Frank-Leonel Tianyi Ronni Tankeu Veronica Aletum Mazou N. Temgoua Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign Hospital Practices and Research Hepatitis B Virus Hepatitis C Virus Rural Cameroon Screening Seroprevalence |
author_facet |
Abdoul Rahamane Njigou Joël Noutakdie Tochie Celestin Danwang Frank-Leonel Tianyi Ronni Tankeu Veronica Aletum Mazou N. Temgoua |
author_sort |
Abdoul Rahamane Njigou |
title |
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign |
title_short |
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign |
title_full |
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign |
title_fullStr |
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign |
title_full_unstemmed |
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign |
title_sort |
seroprevalence of hepatitis b and c infections in mokolo district hospital, northern cameroon: the value of a screening campaign |
publisher |
Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences |
series |
Hospital Practices and Research |
issn |
2476-390X 2476-3918 |
publishDate |
2018-04-01 |
description |
<strong>Background:</strong> Infections due to the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses constitute a global public health problem. Although screening of these infections remains a pivotal tool for timely detection and management of carriers, this preventive measure has been neglected in Africa.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> The current study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV as well as their risk factors through a screening campaign organized in a rural setting in northern Cameroon.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during a screening campaign for viral hepatitis organized at the Mokolo District Hospital, Cameroon, from January 19, 2017 to February 27, 2017. Sociodemographic data from all consenting participants was collected and examined for signs of chronic liver disease. Participants were then screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV using a rapid diagnostic test (ACON®).<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Of the 364 participants enrolled, 28.6% tested positive for HBsAg and 2.2% for anti-HCV. All HBsAg-positive and anti-HCV-positive individuals were asymptomatic and unaware of their infection status prior to testing. None of the socio-demographic factors assessed was associated with a positive HbsAg status.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> HBV and HCV infections are endemic in this rural health district. Participants who tested positive were apparently healthy and completely unaware of their infection status. Transmission of the hepatitis virus may be a public health concern in this district. It is recommended that community health education activities on preventive measures for HBV and HCV infections, regular screening for disease surveillance, and close follow-up of disease progression in these asymptomatic individuals be conducted. |
topic |
Hepatitis B Virus Hepatitis C Virus Rural Cameroon Screening Seroprevalence |
url |
http://www.jhpr.ir/article_60715_291ab42236eeb7e3c3765b86faec65b0.pdf |
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