scholarly journals Hepatitis B Knowledge, Testing, and Vaccination History among Undergraduate Public Health Students in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Osei ◽  
John Niyilapah ◽  
Gregory Kofi Amenuvegbe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccine ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Undergraduate Public Health

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. The risk of acquiring the infection through exposure to blood, semen, and other bodily fluids is highest among health care workers (HCW) including trainees. Ghana is considered a high risk country for HBV; however little is known about the knowledge and prevention practices of the infection in the country. This study assessed the knowledge, testing, and vaccination history of HBV and their related factors among undergraduate public health students of University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 students using a pretested questionnaire to assess Hepatitis B knowledge, testing, and vaccination history of the students. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between Hepatitis B testing and vaccination history and participants’ characteristics. Data was analysed using Stata Version 12. Results. Majority 169 (73.9%) of the 226 participants studied had moderate knowledge regarding HBV infection. About half 114 (50.4%) of them had never been tested for HBV infection, and 100 (44.2%) had received at least a single dose of Hepatitis B vaccine. The completed vaccination rate among the students was 30.5%. Students in their 2nd year (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 3.13; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.13, 7.52; p<0.011) and those with moderate (AOR: 4.76; 95% CI; 1.35, 16.82; P=0.015) and good (AOR: 5.40; 95% CI: 1.31, 22.36; P=0.020) level of knowledge were more likely to be tested for HBV. With regard to vaccination, females (AOR: 1.85; 95%CI: 1.04-3.29; P=0.037) and regular students (AOR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.19, 0.70; p=0.002) were associated with receiving the full dose of Hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusion. This study highlights the urgent need for continued health education on HBV infection and strategies that ensure that health trainees are screened and fully vaccinated against the infection to prevent potential future exposure to the virus. The students’ representative council can organize free HBV testing and vaccination for all fresh students.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Muslim Students, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110134
Author(s):  
Chutima Rattanawan ◽  
Suraiya Cheloh ◽  
Asma Maimahad ◽  
Malatee Tayeh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Economic Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Age ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Of Anemia

Anemia is a global public health problem. The prevalence of anemia among different ages, genders or ethnic groups must be clarified in order to solve problems. This study proposed to determine the prevalence and factors related to anemia among the Muslim school-age population in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from 200 school-age subjects. The thalassemia screening was performed with KKU-OF and KKU-DCIP reagents. The prevalence of anemia in this study was 36.5%, divided into males and females, 33.3% and 39.1%, respectively. The means of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC in the anemic group were significantly lower. The positive results for KKU-OF or KKU-DCIP or both were 15.0%, 2.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. The result of positive OF test was a significantly independent factor for anemia. The number of family members was 5 to 7 and more than 7 persons are related factors for anemia in this study. In summary, the contribution of thalassemia and socio-economic factor are associated factors to anemia in this population. These findings should be addressed in public health strategies for the control of anemia of school-aged Muslims in the region.

Prevalence of some hepatitis B virus markers among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Specialist Hospital Sokoto Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-243
Author(s):  
O. Erhabor ◽  
S.Y. Mohammad ◽  
L. Bello ◽  
F.U. Onuigwe ◽  
Y. Abdulrahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
B Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus Markers

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health problem. The virus has infected more than one-third of the global population. It has been estimated that 360 million chronic carriers are living around the world with a high risk for developing cirrhosis, hepatic carcinoma and hepatic failure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of some hepatitis B markers among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Nigeria. METHODS: The hepatitis testing was carried out using the Skytec-Rapid Diagnostic HBV-5 rapid kit (Skytec-Rapid Diagnostic, USA). The kit is based on lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb in human serum or plasma. Panel format can conveniently test for five targets at once and utilizes all markers to help distinguish between acute and chronic infections. RESULTS: Out of 117 pregnant women tested, 15 were positive for HBsAg (12.8%), 6 positive for HBsAb (5.1%), 1 for HBeAg (0.9%), 14 tested positive for HBeAb (12.0%), and 14 tested for HBcAb (12.0%). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on ethnicity. HBsAb was significantly higher among the Hausa ethnic group (p= 0.001). The prevalence of HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was not affected by ethnicity (p> 0.05). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on age. Infection by the hepatitis B virus markers was higher among young adult and middle age groups. The difference was however not statistically significant (p> 0.05). The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBcAb and HBcAb was compared based on the educational status, previous history of blood transfusion, jaundice, employment status and previous history of still births among the pregnant subjects. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus markers (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study observed a high prevalence of various hepatitis B viral markers among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Specialist Hospital Sokoto. There is need for routine screening of all pregnant women and infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers. Government and non-governmental organizations should intensify efforts to enlighten the general population on the public health importance of the disease and the importance of hepatitis screening. There is also need for the development of a treatment protocol for the management of pregnant women positive for hepatitis B to prevent mother to child transmission. There is an urgent need for the implementation of evidenced-based best practice of providing universal vaccination against hepatitis B for all hepatitis B negative women of child bearing age in particular and all Nigerians in general.

scholarly journals Risk factors related to childbirth in El Salvador

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152
Author(s):  
Fátima Larisa Chavarría Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
El Salvador ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

Introduction. Preterm birth is a public health problem, considered a high risk factor for morbidity, disability and neonatal mortality. Objective. Characterize risk factors related to preterm birth in El Salvador. Methodology. Analytical cross-sectional study of risk factors related to preterm birth, in women who received childbirth care in the national public health system, during 2017. Data was obtained from the Perinatal Information System. 44 891 cases were analyzed. Qualitative variables were analyzed through absolute values and frequencies, and the quantitative variables, through absolute values, frequency and central tendency measures, using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24 program. The analysis of relation of variables, was performed with the Epidat version 3.1 program, through the calculation of prevalence ratios (PR) and the calculation of Odds Ratio (OR), both analysis with a 95% confidence interval and a value of p <0.05. Results. 9.5% of the deliveries attended were preterm. The risk analysis through the calculation of prevalence ratios showed that women with a multiple pregnancy were 14 times more likely to have a preterm birth. Preterm birth was 4.7 times more frequent in women with a clinical history of diabetes mellitus and 2.4 times more frequent, with a history of high blood pressure. Conclusions. Women who have a multiple pregnancy and pregnant women with a clinical history of chronic diseases, and an obstetric history of preeclampsia, are more likely to have a preterm birth. Likewise, obesity and inadequate age for pregnancy, mainly women over 35 years, are also related to preterm birth.

scholarly journals Overweight and Obesity Coexist with Thinness among Lao’s Urban Area Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Katiya Ivanovitch ◽  
Sonemany Keolangsy ◽  
Nontiya Homkham
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Chi Squared

Introduction. In recent decades, the developing countries of Southeast Asia, including the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), have experienced a rapid growth of their urban population. Partly as a result of that, issues of undernutrition and overnutrition became a significant public health problem. Objective. To examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their related factors, among the school-attending adolescents in the Lao capital of Vientiane. Methods. A cross-sectional data on 300 adolescents aged 15–19 were collected during the months of March, April, and May 2018 by means of a self-administrated questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were used to obtain data on height and weight. Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher exact tests, and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were applied in the course of the statistical analysis. Results. The study found a high prevalence of overweight/obesity (23.3%) and thinness (10.3%). Poor eating habits were noted in 67.0% of adolescents, even though 78.0% of them had a good knowledge of nutrition. Factors significantly associated with the overweight/obesity were low physical activities (aOR = 18.3; 95% CI: 5.51–60.66) and adolescents living with their guardians (aOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08–0.79). Results also indicated that, in 47.3% of the cases, teachers, acting as a source of health and nutrition information, can prevent the risk of adolescents’ overweight/obesity (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.11–3.80) but not their thinness (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.17–0.88). Conclusions. Laotian adolescents are facing the spectrum of malnutrition in urban areas. To improve adolescents’ nutritional status, there is a need for a collaborative approach of public health agencies that would address the issues of an effective food and nutrition policy. The school curricula should also include programs on nutrition and physical education.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Its Determinants among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Addisu Alehegn Alemu ◽  
Liknaw Bewket Zeleke ◽  
Bewket Yesarah Aynalem ◽  
Getachew Mullu Kassa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
B Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Transfusion History

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an infectious and a global public health problem. The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women is between 2.3% and 7.9%. HBV infection during pregnancy is associated with prenatal transmission to the fetus. HBV has an effective vaccine which reduces up to 96% of the transmission. Although different studies were conducted in Ethiopia, none of them showed the national prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the pooled prevalence of HBV and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for articles. All observational published studies were retrieved using relevant search terms in Google Scholar, African Online Journal, CINAHL, and PubMed databases. Newcastle-Ottawa assessment checklist for observational studies was used for critical appraisal of the included articles. The meta-analysis was done with STATA version 14 software. The I2 statistics were used to test heterogeneity whereas Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to assess publication bias. Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was presented using the forest plot. Results. A total of twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HBV in Ethiopia was 4.75% (95% CI: 4.06, 5.44). The subgroup analysis showed a higher prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in Gambella (7.9%) and the lowest in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) (2.3%). Associated factors with HBV infection include history of multiple sexual partner (OR=6.02 (95%CI=3.86, 9.36)), blood transfusion history (OR=5.71 (95%CI=3.25, 10.04)), abortion history (OR=3.58 (95%CI=2.10, 6.09)), and history of body tattoo (OR=2.83 (95%CI=1.55, 5.17)). Conclusions. HBV infection among pregnant women is a common public health problem in Ethiopia. Multiple sexual partners, abortion history, blood transfusion history, and body tattoo were significantly associated with HBV infection. Policies and strategies should focus on factors identified in this study to improve the prevention of HBV among pregnant women.

scholarly journals Hepatitis-B Vaccination Status Among the Dentists of a Selected Hospital in Dhaka city

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
S U Ahmed ◽  
K S Anwar ◽  
I Mafiz ◽  
M Shakil ◽  
F Bari
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
History Of

Countries of South East Asia Region have high prevalence rates of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B is a major public health problem of the region, although it varies widely among the countries. In the region, every year approximately 14-16 million people are infected with Hepatitis B Pilaus (HBO. It is estimated that there are 78 million HBV carriers, which is almost 6% of the total population of the region (1.4 billion, 1995). A cross sectional descriptive study conducted by face to face interview on the basis of a structured questionnaire to identify the selected Dentists in Dhaka city from January to June 2010 among the dentists of City Dental College Hospital and Pioneer Dental College Hospital. Total 120 dentists were included purposively from two hospital in Dhaka city. The study was done to determine the proportion of Hepatitis B vaccination among dentists in a selected hospitals, the history of exposure of hepatitis B among the dentist, why a group of dentist could not take hepatitis B vaccine. Among 120 respondents, most of them received vaccine (65.0 %) whereas 35.0% did not take any. Among 79 respondents, 48.1% (38) finished taking the vaccines whereas 51.9% (41) did not finish taking the vaccines. Negligence was found to be the major cause for not taking the vaccine and very few of them think that the prevalence of hepatitis B is high among dentist. Further in depth study could help investigate to explain role of these factors. All health care personnel should be trained up so that they can save themselves and can also motivate their clients, relatives and general population. Time to time special training is orientation courses should be offered to the dentist for improvement of knowledge regarding hepatitis B infection.

scholarly journals Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viral co-infections in HIV infected children in Lagos, Nigeria

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243656
Author(s):  
Mary Adetola Lawal ◽  
Oluwafunmilayo Funke Adeniyi ◽  
Patricia Eyanya Akintan ◽  
Abideen Olurotimi Salako ◽  
Olorunfemi Sunday Omotosho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of

Introduction The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viral co-infections in HIV infected children in Lagos. Method A cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viral co-infection in children aged 2 months to 13 years. There were 187 HIV infected and 187 HIV naïve age, sex-matched controls. Blood samples of participants were assayed for the serologic markers [HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV)] of HBV and HCV viral infections using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Result The prevalence of HBV infection using HBsAg was 5.3% and 4.8% (p = 0.814), among HIV-infected and HIV naïve children respectively, while using anti-HBc the prevalence was 7.0% and 7.5% (p = 0.842) among HIV- infected and HIV naïve children respectively. The prevalence of HCV infection among HIV- infected and HIV naive children were equal to 0.5% (p = 1.000). There was also no significant association with the identifiable risk factors (sharing of a toothbrush, sharing of needles, incision marks/tattoo, hepatitis B immunization status, history of blood transfusion, previous surgical operation, sexual exposure/abuse, history of jaundice, and genital circumcision) and the HBV and or HCV status among both groups of children. History of sexual exposure/abuse and history of jaundice were however found to be predictors of the presence of HBsAg among HIV infected children only, using a binary logistic regression model. Conclusion The prevalence of HBV and or HCV infection among HIV-infected children is similar to the prevalence among HIV naïve children, suggesting that HIV-infected children are not more predisposed to viral hepatitis than healthy children. Also, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of HBV infection irrespective of the use of HBsAg or anti-HBc.

scholarly journals Change in the Epidemiological Profile of Hepatitis B in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 1015-1018
Author(s):  
Beatriz Zago Gomes Rueda ◽  
Luciana Lofêgo Gonçalves ◽  
Mateus André Rueda-Dantas ◽  
Brunna Vila Coutinho Ferreira ◽  
Maria da Penha Zago-Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus Infection ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
B Virus

AbstractInfection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important public health problem and can progress with death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. In 2017 it has been 21 years since the universal vaccination against HBV has been introduced in Brazil. The objectives are to analyze the reports of hepatitis B virus infection in the Brazilian public health system between 2010 and 2015 and to calculate incidence and prevalence of the hepatitis B virus infection. The methods are observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional epidemiological study of reports of hepatitis B infection in children under 20 years of age in Brazil between 2010 and 2015. There were 4275 cases in Brazil. The prevalence was 6.49 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The age group with the highest number of notifications in Brazil was from 15 to 19 years old (68.58%). The incidence dropped significantly in 2015, and the occurrences were predominant in females. The Amazon region presented the highest number of occurrences, annual incidence, and prevalence. The form of transmission was ignored in almost half of the cases, and the most reported form of transmission in Brazil was the sexual transmission. The most common coinfection was with the hepatitis delta virus (1.87%). Chronic hepatitis was the most prevalent clinical form. The prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B virus in children under 20 years of age showed a marked and progressive decrease, which indicates the efficacy of the vaccine. The form of sexual infection in adolescents reinforces the need for policies aimed at the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

scholarly journals Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine following complete immunization of children attending two regional hospitals in the Southwest region of Cameroon: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ephesians N. Anutebeh ◽  
Lambed Tatah ◽  
Vitalis F. Feteh ◽  
Desmond Aroke ◽  
Jules C. N. Assob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccine ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Regional Hospitals ◽  
Surface Antibody

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection despite being a vaccine preventable disease remains a global public health problem. In Cameroon, the hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in the expanded program on immunisation in 2005, but there has been limited evaluation of the HBV surface antibody response post vaccination. Objective We investigated the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants who received the DPT-Hep B-Hib vaccine, and we assessed HBsAg carriage in non-responders. We also investigated factors associated with non-response or poor response. Methods Using a hospital based cross sectional design and a structured questionnaire over a four-month period (January to April 2019), we collected data to determine factors associated with hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) response from infants aged 6 to 9 months attending infant welfare clinics (IWC) at the Buea and Limbe regional hospitals. We collected venous blood and measured anti-HBs titres using a quantitative Foresight® ELISA. We entered and analysed data using EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 25 respectively. Results Of the 161 infants enrolled, 159 (98.8%) developed anti-HBs antibodies. Of these 159, 157 (97.5%) and 117 (72.7%) developed ≥ 10.0 mIU/ml (seroprotection) and ≥ 100.0 mIU/ml anti-HBs titres respectively. Being younger (6 months old) was associated with seroprotection (Cramer V = 0.322, p = 0.001). Spearman rho’s relational analysis showed that immunity against HBV reduced as the duration since the last dose increased (r = −0.172; P = 0.029). However, a Firth logistic regression showed no significant association of factors with inadequate immunity. All 12 (7.5%) infants exposed to HBV at birth, received the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, including four who received HBIG, and all were protected. Four infants (2.5%) had anti-HBs titres < 10.0 mIU/mL (non-responders) but had no peculiarity. Conclusion The seroprotective rate following hepatitis B vaccination of infants is high even in exposed infants. Our study suggests that Cameroon’s HBV vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) is effective against HBV, although we could not account for the 2.5% non-response rate. Large scale studies are needed to further explore non-response to the vaccine.

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