Abstract

Introduction: According to WHO estimates, 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of primary liver carcinoma are caused by a hepatitis B or C virus. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these diseases and HIV among a young male population, according to region. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 17 February to 31 March 2014 in the ten administrative regions of Cameroon. The study included male subjects of Cameroonian nationality aged at least 18 and at most 23, and living in the regions concerned. It excluded subjects that did not match the age, gender, and nationality criteria. For each subject, 10 ml of blood was collected in a dry tube. After centrifugation at 3000 RPM for 5 minutes, the serum was collected for the detection of viral infections. For subjects that tested positive, a confirmatory test was conducted. Results: In total, 4367 subjects were selected, with an average age of 20.46 (+/- 1.17) years. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus stood at 13.01% (with 95% CI: 12.03% - 14.05%). That of viral hepatitis C was 0.30% (95% CI: 0.17% - 0.52%). Co-infection with hepatitis B and C viruses was 0.05% (95% CI: 0.01% - 0.18%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 1.01% (95% CI: 0.74% - 1.36%). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of HBsAg in the population of young males is high. It tallies with the early vertical and horizontal modes of transmission that prevail in our environment.

Highlights

  • According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of primary liver carcinoma are caused by a hepatitis B or C virus

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of primary liver carcinomas result from a hepatitis B or C virus [1]

  • In Cameroon, according to a review of literature published between 1985 and 2014 concerning studies on sentinel populations, prevalence ranges between 6.1% and 25.3% [2] [3] for hepatitis B virus (HBV), and 0.6% and 21% for hepatitis C virus (HCV) [4] [5]

Read more

Summary

Introduction

According to WHO estimates, 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of primary liver carcinoma are caused by a hepatitis B or C virus. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these diseases and HIV among a young male population, according to region. The study included male subjects of Cameroonian nationality aged at least 18 and at most 23, and living in the regions concerned. In Cameroon, according to a review of literature published between 1985 and 2014 concerning studies on sentinel populations (blood donors, pregnant women, health workers, Pygmies), prevalence ranges between 6.1% and 25.3% [2] [3] for hepatitis B virus (HBV), and 0.6% and 21% for hepatitis C virus (HCV) [4] [5]. This study sought to determine the prevalence of these diseases and HIV in an apparently healthy male population aged 18 - 23 years in the 10 regions of Cameroon

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call