Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Mokolo District Hospital, Northern Cameroon: The Value of a Screening Campaign

Abstract

Background: 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. Objective: 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. Methods: 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 each participant was examined for signs of chronic liver disease. Participants were then screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV using a rapid diagnostic test (ACON ® ). Results: 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 sociodemographic factors assessed was associated with a positive HbsAg status. Conclusion: 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.

Factors associated with hepatitis B and C among adults in Buea, Cameroon: A community‐based cross‐sectional study

“…Many seroprevalence estimates for viral hepatitis in Africa preferentially use healthcare facility‐based sampling, 9–12 which may be biased towards those more likely to present to care. These studies also may not reflect recent gains in reducing the transmission of viral hepatitis as most cases of hepatitis B and C transmission occur outside the healthcare setting 13 .…”

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

“…HCVAb seroprevalence in Cameroon varies across regions and tribes within the same country. While some studies reported high HCVAb carriage: in the southern 12% [ 34 ], in the western 6.3% [ 35 ], numerous studies on the contrary revealed a relative much lower prevalence: 2.2% anti-HCV in the Northern [ 27 ], 0.6% in the eastern [ 36 ], 0.4% in the western [ 37 ], 4.8% in the Littoral Region [ 38 ], 1.44% in the center region [ 39 ]. Equally, various burden of anti-HCV antibodies have also been reported in community settings worldwide: 0.77% in Romania [ 40 ], 1.02% in Sudan [ 41 ], 1.2% in Madagascar [ 42 ], 2.4%in Iraq [ 43 ], 3.6% in India [ 44 ], 19.80% in Cairo [ 45 ].…”

Anti-Hepatitis C Antibody Carriage and Risk of Liver Impairment in Rural-Cameroon: Adapting the Control of Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Resource-Limited Settings

“…HCVAb seroprevalence in Cameroon varies across regions and tribes within the same country. While some studies reported high HCVAb carriage: in the southern 12% [35], in the western6.3% [36], numerous studies on the contrary revealed a relative much lower prevalence: 2.2% anti-HCV in the Northern [37], 0.6% in the eastern [38], 0.4% in the western [39], 4.8% in the Littoral Region [40], 1.44% in the center region [41]. Equally, various burden of anti-HCV antibodies have also been reported in community settings worldwide: 0.77% in Romania [42], 1.02% in Sudan [43], 1.2% in Madagascar [44], 2.4%in Iraq [45], 3.6% in India [46], 19.80% in Cairo [47].…”

“…This table presents liver impairment according to hepatitis C antibodies carriage (HCVAb) [26]. While several studies in community settings in Cameroon have also found similar women predominance trend [27,28,29,30], contrary results were more or less reported in rural area of foreign countries including Congo [31], Egypt [32],…”