Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus in a Population of Children and Teenagers in Ebolowa, Cameroon: A Community-Based Study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as well as risk factors associated with the infection in infants born after the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine in the expanded program of immunization (EPI) in Cameroon. Patients and Method: It was a cross sectional prospective community-based study hosted in the premises of the Ebolowa regional hospital from August to October 2019. All participants who met our selection criteria were enrolled. Demographic data, risk factors and HBsAg results were analyzed using the CS-Pro software. P-values less than 5% were considered significant on univariate analysis. Results: A total of 208 participants with a mean age of 8.9 (± 3.4) years old were enrolled in the study, 53.8% of whom were male. The overall HBsAg prevalence was 1.9% (95% CI : 0.5 – 3.8), with no infection recorded among those aged between 10 to 14 years old. All those infected were at most in primary school. Upon univariate analysis, there was no significant association between hepatitis B virus infection and past history of surgery, blood transfusion, scarifications, tattooing, piercing, jaundice and family history of hepatitis B virus. As a matter of facts none of the infected infants had a past history of surgery, blood transfusion, jaundice, tattooing nor piercing. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV was 1.9%. Policies must be put in place to stop new infections as well as adequately following up infected infants.