Prevalence of hepatitis and HIV infection among 18-months old children in Guinea-Bissau before vaccination

Trop Med Int Health. 2024 Oct;29(10):919-921. doi: 10.1111/tmi.14045. Epub 2024 Aug 26.

Abstract

Objectives: This study reports on the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in children in Guinea-Bissau before the hepatitis B vaccine was introduced.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. From 2005 to 2008, 187 children aged 18 months were enrolled in a vaccine trial and had blood samples taken to test for HBV (HbsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV.

Results: HBsAg prevalence was 11.2% and prevalence of any HBV serological marker was 16.0%. No children were positive for HCV. One was positive for HIV-1.

Conclusions: The prevalence of HBsAg was high compared to other sub-Saharan African countries pre-immunisation, underscoring the importance of broad and sustained HBV vaccination. This study indicates that the majority of HBV transmission is horizontal during childhood in Guinea-Bissau.

Keywords: Guinea‐Bissau; West Africa; children; hepatitis B; prevalence; transmission.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Guinea-Bissau / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* / blood
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines*
  • Hepatitis B* / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B* / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies