Screening and linkage to care for medical students with hepatitis B virus infection in Sierra Leone

Factors Associated with HBsAg Seropositivity among Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care at 10 Community Health Centers in Freetown, Sierra Leone: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major public health threat in Sierra Leone. Pregnant women are disproportionately impacted, yet little is known about the epidemiology of HBV in this group. We conducted a cross-sectional study of pregnant women aged ≥16 years receiving antenatal care across 10 community health centers in Freetown from July to September 2021 to assess the prevalence and associated factors of HBsAg seropositivity. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of HBsAg seropositivity. In total, 394 pregnant women were screened. The mean age was 24.4 ± 4.9 years, 78.2% were married, and 47.2% were in the second trimester. Only 1% had received the HBV vaccine. The prevalence of HBsAg was 7.9%, while HIV was 5.8% and HIV/HBV co-infection was 0.3%. Regarding high-risk practices, 76.6% reported female genital circumcision, 41.9% ear piercing, 29.0% endorsed multiple sexual partners, and 23.6% reported sexually transmitted infections. In the logistic regression analysis, having a husband/partner with HBV (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 6.54; 95% CI: [1.72–24.86]; p = 0.006) and residing in Central Freetown (aOR: 4.00; 95% CI: [1.46–11.00]; p = 0.007) were independently associated with HBsAg seropositivity. Our findings support the scaling up of HBV services to target pregnant women and their partners for screening and vaccination to help reduce mother-to-child transmission rates in Sierra Leone.

High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease Among People Living with Hypertension in Rural Sierra Leone: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Currently, there are no data on prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with hypertension in rural Sierra Leone.

PURPOSE

To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of CKD in rural Sierra Leone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of hypertension patients aged between 18 and 75 years attending a non-communicable disease clinic at Koidu Government Hospital, Kono District, Sierra Leone was conducted between February and December 2020. Using systematic random sampling, a structured questionnaire, which comprised of questions on social demographic characteristics and past and current clinical history, was administered followed by measurement of creatinine and urinary protein and glucose. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using CKD-epidemiology formula without race as a factor. Baseline eGFR between 60-89 min/mL/1.73m2 and <60 min/mL/1.73m2 defined reduced eGFR and renal impairment, respectively. Estimated GFR less than 60 min/mL/1.73m2 measured two times at least 3 months apart was used to define CKD.

RESULTS

Ninety-six percent (n = 304) patients out of 317 patients were included in the study. Among all included patients, only 3.9% (n = 12) had eGFR of 90 min/mL/1.73m2 and above. The prevalence of renal impairment and CKD was 52% (158/304, CI 46.2-57.7) and 29.9% (91/304, CI 24.8-34.5), respectively. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, currently taking herbal medications as treatment of hypertension (OR 4.11 (CI 1.14-14.80), p = 0.03) and being overweight and/or obese (OR 2.16 (CI 1.24-3.78), p < 0.001) was associated with CKD. Additionally, receiving some education was associated with a 48% (OR 0.52 (CI 0.29-0.91), p = 0.02) reduced likelihood of CKD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of renal impairment and CKD is high among hypertensive patients in rural Sierra Leone. CKD was associated with current history of taking herbal medications and being overweight and/or obese. Additionally, CKD was associated with reduced likelihood in patients who received some education.