Serological Status of Viral Hepatitis B and Associated Factors Among Sex Workers in Douala (Littoral-Cameroon)

Abstract

<i>Introduction</i>: Viral Hepatitis B (VHB) is a real concern for international organisations in general and the Cameroonian authorities in particular; our work aimed to determine the serological status of VHB as well as the associated factors among female sex workers (FSWs) in the city of Douala. <i>Method</i>: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period of two months from 01 August to 02 October 2022. For the detection of serological markers, we used immuno-chromatographic tests [HBV 5-in-1 Hepatitis B Virus markers Rapid Test Panel (batch number; China, 2022)] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [Hepatitis B Virus surface Antigen (HBsAg) ELISA Test Kit, batch number: HBSG37310B, China, 2022], both of HIGHTOP brand. The markers investigated by the immuno-chromatographic tests were HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and cHbAb. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the degree of association with HBsAg carriage at the 5% significance level. Results: A total of 87 participants were included in the present work, with a mean age of 29.66 ± 6.24 years, ranging from 18 to 43 years; furthermore, the serological profiles obtained in these TS were distributed as follows: 1% (1/87) of the participants were infected with the presence of viral activity; 7% (6/87) were infected with the absence of viral activity; 19% (17/87) had received a vaccine; 13% (11/87) had been in contact with the virus; 7% (6/87) had been in contact with the virus in the past and were cured; and 53% (46/87) were not infected; However, univariate regression analyses showed that primary education (OR= 0.042; 95% CI = 0.002-0.973; P=0.048); secondary education (OR= 0.034; 95% CI = 0.003-0.459; P=0.011); barmaid activity (OR= 0.030; 95% CI = 0.002-0.495; P=0.014) and shopkeeper activity (OR= 0.056; 95% CI = 0.003-0.923; P=0.044) were significantly associated with HBsAg carriage <i>Conclusion</i>: The present study shows that a variety of serological profiles of HBV were found among SWs in the city of Douala; however, the implementation of large-scale sensitization campaigns (via the media, social networks, and within schools) and expanded vaccination programmes against HBV throughout the country would help reduce its prevalence.