A Serological Survey of Selected Papua New Guinea Blood Donors for Hepatitis B and Related Co-Infections

Abstract

<jats:p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious problem and earlier studies in Papua New Guinea have reported a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection. These studies were undertaken using insensitive tests and before an expanded immunization program. The current HBV status is therefore uncertain. A retrospective study to investigate the HBV status was carried out using blood donor data at Nonga General Hospital, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, from January 2003 to December 2018. Additional data for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, syphilis and hepatitis C virus were also collected. Data were analysed using NCSS statistical software. The mean hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) sero-prevalence was 21% for the period of study and showed a downward trend over the period of the study, which may reflect the effect of the extended immunization program. HBsAg prevalence in male donors (23%) was significantly higher than females (16%). Donors living in Pomio district had a significantly lower proportion of sero-positive HBsAg donors (7%) than Gazelle (22%), Kokopo (22%) and Rabaul (20%), which was attributed to this district’s geographical isolation. Ethnically, Pomios donors (8%) had significantly lower HBsAg prevalence than the Taulils, (29%), Bainings (21%) and Tolais (21%). Fifteen to nineteen year olds (23%) were the predominant age group affected, and vertical or perinatal transmission was probably the primary transmission route. Our findings call for greater awareness on the part of public policy makers and should be considered when planning future public health campaigns.</jats:p>

Systematic Review of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence in the WHO Western Pacific Region

“…In this review, viraemic prevalence of HCV infection among the general population was ≤1% in most WHO WPR countries where data were identified (Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Viet Nam, and Hong Kong SAR). While HCV antibody prevalence was comparatively high in Papua New Guinea at 4.2%, only one small study among blood donors (n = 1206) was identified [ 10 ] and this estimate may not be representative of the general population. HCV antibody prevalence was also comparatively high at 3.9% in Cambodia where, similarly, only one small study (n = 868) was identified [ 11 ], However, hepatitis C viraemic prevalence in this setting was substantially lower at 1.3%.…”

“…Refs. [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , …”