Abstract
Aim: To determine the prevalence of HBs antigen in secondary schools, to appreciate the vaccination coverage of viral hepatitis B and to propose a vaccine catch-up strategy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a two-month period from April 24 to June 24, 2006 among students aged 10 - 15, in two schools (one public and the other private) of the city of Abidjan selected at random. The assay of serum markers of viral hepatitis B of the samples collected after 5 ml peripheral venous sampling was carried out in the viral serology and bacteriology unit of the Pasteur institute of Ivory Coast using the ELISA technique (Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbant-Assay). The ELISA technique is an enzyme immunoassay technique that can detect an antigen or an antibody by highlighting the antigen-antibody reaction. Results: Of the 282 students who participated in our study, 5.3% of students (n = 15) were infected with the hepatitis B virus. The majority of students (79.1%, n = 223) did not have no contact with the hepatitis B virus. Only 7.8% (n = 22) of the students were vaccinated against viral hepatitis B. Conclusion: The low immunization coverage and the high prevalence of seronegative students reflect the need for a vaccine catch-up policy for adolescents born before the introduction of vaccination against the viral hepatitis B virus in the Expanded Program on Immunization.
Highlights
The assay of serum markers of viral hepatitis B of the samples collected after 5 ml peripheral venous sampling was carried out in the viral serology and bacteriology unit of the Pasteur institute of Ivory Coast using the ELISA technique (Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbant-Assay)
The only way to fight effectively against this disease and its consequences relies on vaccination, but this vaccination against the hepatitis B virus has been introduced in the extended vaccination program in Ivory Coast since 2002
The aims of this work were to assess the prevalence of viral hepatitis B in secondary school, to appreciate the vaccination coverage of viral hepatitis B and to propose a vaccine catch-up strategy
Summary
Viral hepatitis B represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In Africa, in south of the Sahara its prevalence is estimated at 3% - 20%; in Ivory Coast prevalence is estimated at 8% - 12% in the general population [2] [3]. Viral hepatitis B, C and D are the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer in ivory coast. The only way to fight effectively against this disease and its consequences relies on vaccination, but this vaccination against the hepatitis B virus has been introduced in the extended vaccination program in Ivory Coast since 2002. The aims of this work were to assess the prevalence of viral hepatitis B in secondary school, to appreciate the vaccination coverage of viral hepatitis B and to propose a vaccine catch-up strategy
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