1
|
Beydoun HA, Tsai J. Screening rates for hepatitis B and C among low-income US veterans: Data from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences Study. J Viral Hepat 2024. [PMID: 38984865 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Screening for viral hepatitis is considered a high-priority area in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Yet, few studies have examined viral hepatitis screening test use among low-income veterans who are considered high-risk with limited healthcare access. Using cross-sectional data from 933 participants in the 2021-2022 National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study, we examined rates and correlates of lifetime screening for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated characteristics associated with HBV/HCV screening. Nearly 16% and 21% reported lifetime HBV and HCV screening, respectively. These rates are considerably lower than HBV (47.3%) and HCV (92.9%) screening rates documented among contemporaneous veterans in VHA electronic health records. In the NV-HOPE data, veterans 50-79 years were more likely than those ≥80 years of age to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Whereas, household income was inversely related to lifetime screening behaviours, veterans reporting 'other' employment types (vs. full-time/part-time employment) were more likely to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Ever-screening for HBV was more likely among veterans reporting non-Hispanic 'other' (vs. non-Hispanic 'white') race, housing instability, Medicaid insurance, as well as drug use and cognitive disorder histories. Living with ≥5 members (vs. alone), histories of alcohol use, cancer, and liver disorders were also correlated with ever-screening for HCV. HIV/AIDS history correlated with ever-screening for HBV/HCV. In conclusion, fewer than one-third of low-income US veterans ever-screened for HBV/HCV, with lower screening rates among those less likely to be exposed to viral hepatitis, thereby informing interventions aimed at promoting available screening, treatment and vaccinations for HBV/HCV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hind A Beydoun
- National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV), Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jack Tsai
- National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV), Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li F, Feng Y, Liu X, Hao J, Wang D, Hu H, Song C, Hu J, Zhao Q, Liang H, Liao L, Ruan Y, Xing H. HBV and HCV Co-Infection in Chinese Newly Diagnosed HIV+ Subjects in 2015 and 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pathogens 2024; 13:367. [PMID: 38787219 PMCID: PMC11124262 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
With shared routes of transmission, HBV and HCV co-infection are estimated to occur more in subjects with HIV. This study aimed to characterize and describe the prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infections in a cohort of newly diagnosed HIV+ subjects living in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study among newly diagnosed HIV+ subjects aged 18-100 who participated in surveys on the national HIV molecular epidemiology in 2015 and 2023. (The epidemiological table survey is located in the national database alongside serologic testing). The chi-square test was used to identify changes in infections between the studying populations in 2015 and 2023, and conditional logistic regression models were fit to identify risk factors for each co-infection. Among the 11,024 newly diagnosed HIV+ subjects who were surveyed (n = 4501 in 2015; n = 6523 in 2023), the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV in 2023 was lower than that in 2015, respectively. No decrease was observed in HCV co-infection in men who had sex with men (MSM) in North China, Northeast China, and East China. Increasing recognition among those at high risk of heterosexual transmission and those with low educational backgrounds is paramount to the prevention and control of HIV/HBV/HCV infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Xing
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (F.L.); (Y.F.); (X.L.); (J.H.); (D.W.); (H.H.); (C.S.); (J.H.); (Q.Z.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (Y.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Favril L, Rich JD, Hard J, Fazel S. Mental and physical health morbidity among people in prisons: an umbrella review. Lancet Public Health 2024; 9:e250-e260. [PMID: 38553144 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00023-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who experience incarceration are characterised by poor health profiles. Clarification of the disease burden in the prison population can inform service and policy development. We aimed to synthesise and assess the evidence regarding the epidemiology of mental and physical health conditions among people in prisons worldwide. METHODS In this umbrella review, five bibliographic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Global Health) were systematically searched from inception to identify meta-analyses published up to Oct 31, 2023, which examined the prevalence or incidence of mental and physical health conditions in general prison populations. We excluded meta-analyses that examined health conditions in selected or clinical prison populations. Prevalence data were extracted from published reports and study authors were contacted for additional information. Estimates were synthesised and stratified by sex, age, and country income level. The robustness of the findings was assessed in terms of heterogeneity, excess significance bias, small-study effects, and review quality. The study protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023404827. FINDINGS Our search of the literature yielded 1909 records eligible for screening. 1736 articles were excluded and 173 full-text reports were examined for eligibility. 144 articles were then excluded due to not meeting inclusion criteria, which resulted in 29 meta-analyses eligible for inclusion. 12 of these were further excluded because they examined the same health condition. We included data from 17 meta-analyses published between 2002 and 2023. In adult men and women combined, the 6-month prevalence was 11·4% (95% CI 9·9-12·8) for major depression, 9·8% (6·8-13·2) for post-traumatic stress disorder, and 3·7% (3·2-4·1) for psychotic illness. On arrival to prison, 23·8% (95% CI 21·0-26·7) of people met diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder and 38·9% (31·5-46·2) for drug use disorder. Half of those with major depression or psychotic illness had a comorbid substance use disorder. Infectious diseases were also common; 17·7% (95% CI 15·0-20·7) of people were antibody-positive for hepatitis C virus, with lower estimates (ranging between 2·6% and 5·2%) found for hepatitis B virus, HIV, and tuberculosis. Meta-regression analyses indicated significant differences in prevalence by sex and country income level, albeit not consistent across health conditions. The burden of non-communicable chronic diseases was only examined in adults aged 50 years and older. Overall, the quality of the evidence was limited by high heterogeneity and small-study effects. INTERPRETATION People in prisons have a specific pattern of morbidity that represents an opportunity for public health to address. In particular, integrating prison health within the national public health system, adequately resourcing primary care and mental health services, and improving linkage with post-release health services could affect public health and safety. Population-based longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the extent to which incarceration affects health. FUNDING Research Foundation-Flanders, Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Favril
- Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Josiah D Rich
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Maggiorella MT, Sernicola L, Picconi O, Pizzi E, Belli R, Fulgenzi D, Rovetto C, Bruni R, Costantino A, Taffon S, Chionne P, Madonna E, Pisani G, Borsetti A, Falvino C, Ranieri R, Baccalini R, Pansera A, Castelvedere F, Babudieri S, Madeddu G, Starnini G, Dell'Isola S, Cervellini P, Ciccaglione AR, Ensoli B, Buttò S. Epidemiological and molecular characterization of HBV and HCV infections in HIV-1-infected inmate population in Italy: a 2017-2019 multicenter cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14908. [PMID: 37689795 PMCID: PMC10492787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41814-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HBV/HCV co-infection is common in HIV-1-infected prisoners. To investigate the characteristics of HIV co-infections, and to evaluate the molecular heterogeneity of HIV, HBV and HCV in prisoners, we carried-out a multicenter cross-sectional study, including 65 HIV-1-infected inmates enrolled in 5 Italian detention centers during the period 2017-2019. HIV-1 subtyping showed that 77.1% of inmates were infected with B subtype and 22.9% with non-B subtypes. Italian nationals were all infected with subtype B (93.1%), except two individuals, one infected with the recombinant form CRF72_BF1, and the other with the HIV-1 sub-subtype A6, both previously not identified in inmates of Italian nationality. Non-Italian nationals were infected with subtype B (52.6%), CRFs (36.8%) and sub-subtypes A1 and A3 (5.2%). HIV variants carrying resistance mutations to NRTI, NNRTI, PI and InSTI were found in 7 inmates, 4 of which were never exposed to the relevant classes of drugs associated with these mutations. HBV and/or HCV co-infections markers were found in 49/65 (75.4%) inmates, while 27/65 (41.5%) showed markers of both HBV and HCV coinfection. Further, Italian nationals showed a significant higher presence of HCV markers as compared to non-Italian nationals (p = 0.0001). Finally, HCV phylogenetic analysis performed in 18 inmates revealed the presence of HCV subtypes 1a, 3a, 4d (66.6%, 16.7% and 16.7%, respectively). Our data suggest the need to monitor HIV, HBV and HCV infections in prisons in order to prevent spreading of these viruses both in jails and in the general population, and to implement effective public health programs that limit the circulation of different genetic forms as well as of viral variants with mutations conferring resistance to treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Maggiorella
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - L Sernicola
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - O Picconi
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - E Pizzi
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - R Belli
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Fulgenzi
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Rovetto
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Costantino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - S Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - P Chionne
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Madonna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Pisani
- National Center for Immunobiologicals, Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Falvino
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Ranieri
- Infectious Diseases Service, Penitentiary Health System, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - S Babudieri
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Madeddu
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Starnini
- Belcolle Hospital, ASL Viterbo, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | | | - A R Ciccaglione
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - B Ensoli
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - S Buttò
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Carrasco-Navarro R, Ríos-Cataño C. Factors associated with sexually transmitted diseases amongst female prison inmates in Peru. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE SANIDAD PENITENCIARIA 2023; 25:62-69. [PMID: 37552275 PMCID: PMC10366705 DOI: 10.18176/resp.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
OBTECTIVES The number of women in prison is rapidly increasing every year and it is important to establish what factors are related to the probability of presenting STDs in this population to enable health control policies to be established. MATERIAL AND METHOD An analysis was carried out on the open database of the national prison population survey conducted in 2016 in all Peruvian prisons. The study was based on the census and all female and male adults in prison were surveyed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS The sample consisted of 4,574 inmates in 67 institutions, covering 98.8% of the inmate population. It was found that presenting tuberculosis (PR: 2.64; CI 95%, 1.32-5.26), HIV/AIDS (PR 6.54, CI 95% 1.52-28.18), hepatitis (PR: 4.01; CI 95%, 1.23-13.11) and drug use (PR: 2.44; CI 95%, 1.32-4.52), are statistically related (P ≤0.05) are factors associated with the presence of STDs in the multivariate model with a P ≤0.05. DISCUSSION The inclusion of associated factors (tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and drug use) should be part of the strategy to control and treat STD in women's prisons in Peru.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Ríos-Cataño
- Universidad Continental. Huancayo. Junín. Perú.Universidad ContinentalHuancayoJunínPerú
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hsu YC, Huang DQ, Nguyen MH. Global burden of hepatitis B virus: current status, missed opportunities and a call for action. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00760-9. [PMID: 37024566 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00760-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects about 296 million people worldwide and is the leading aetiology of cirrhosis and liver cancer globally. Major medical complications also include acute flares and extrahepatic manifestations. In addition, people living with HBV infection also experience stigma. HBV-related cirrhosis resulted in an estimated 331,000 deaths in 2019, and it is estimated that the number of deaths from HBV-related liver cancer in 2019 was 192,000, an increase from 156,000 in 2010. Meanwhile, HBV remains severely underdiagnosed and effective measures that can prevent infection and disease progression are underutilized. Birth dose coverage for HBV vaccines remains low, particularly in low-income countries or regions where HBV burden is high. Patients with HBV infection are inadequately evaluated and linked to care and are undertreated worldwide, even in high-income countries or regions. Despite the goal of the World Health Organization to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030, the annual global deaths from HBV are projected to increase by 39% from 2015 to 2030 if the status quo remains. In this Review, we discuss the current status and future projections of the global burden of HBV infection. We also discuss gaps in the current care cascade and propose future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Center for Liver Diseases, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Daniel Q Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Centre, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Centre, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Martyn E, Eisen S, Longley N, Harris P, Surey J, Norman J, Brown M, Sultan B, Maponga TG, Iwuji C, Flanagan S, Ghosh I, Story A, Matthews PC. The forgotten people: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a priority for the inclusion health agenda. eLife 2023; 12:e81070. [PMID: 36757862 PMCID: PMC9910830 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a significant global health threat, accounting for 300 million chronic infections and up to 1 million deaths each year. HBV disproportionately affects people who are under-served by health systems due to social exclusion, and can further amplify inequities through its impact on physical and mental health, relationship with stigma and discrimination, and economic costs. The 'inclusion health' agenda focuses on excluded and vulnerable populations, who often experience barriers to accessing healthcare, and are under-represented by research, resources, interventions, advocacy, and policy. In this article, we assimilate evidence to establish HBV on the inclusion health agenda, and consider how this view can inform provision of better approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. We suggest approaches to redress the unmet need for HBV interventions among excluded populations as an imperative to progress the global goal for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Martyn
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah Eisen
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nicky Longley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Philippa Harris
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Julian Surey
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Global Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de CantoblancoMadridSpain
| | - James Norman
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Michael Brown
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Binta Sultan
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tongai G Maponga
- Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Department of Global Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of SussexBrightonUnited Kingdom
- Africa Health Research InstituteDurban, KwaZulu-NatalSouth Africa
| | - Stuart Flanagan
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Indrajit Ghosh
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alistair Story
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Philippa C Matthews
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ghazzawi M, James PB, Massaquoi SP, Yendewa SA, Salata RA, Yendewa GA. Factors Associated with HBsAg Seropositivity among Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care at 10 Community Health Centers in Freetown, Sierra Leone: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020243. [PMID: 35215186 PMCID: PMC8874792 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter B. James
- Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia;
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Samuel P. Massaquoi
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (S.P.M.); (S.A.Y.)
| | - Sahr A. Yendewa
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (S.P.M.); (S.A.Y.)
| | - Robert A. Salata
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - George A. Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|