Fighting viral hepatitis B and C in Africa Focus on Benin

Abstract

Point focal Bé nin de l'Initiative panafricaine de lutte contre les hé patites (IPLH), Service d'hé pato-gastro-enté rologie. Centre national hospitalier et universitaire de Cotonou, Bé nin

Assessment of the anti-HBs antibody response in Beninese infants following 4 doses of HBV vaccine, including administration at birth, compared to the standard 3 doses regime; a cross-sectional survey

“…In SSA countries, HBV vaccine coverage remains low or incomplete (< 70% of vaccine coverage for whole Africa) and HBV birth-dose vaccination has not yet been implemented in the WHO-sponsored EPI [8]. In Benin, the percentage of infants under 1 year who have completed 3-doses of HBV vaccination is less than 75% [9] and the prevalence of HBV maternal/child transmission is around to 20% [10]. This is a worrying health issue as it is well-known that over 90% of children infected in early life become chronic carriers of HBV, with a high risk of liver cancer [11,12].…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Risk Factors among Adolescents and Youth in Secondary School in 2018, Commune of Cov&#232;, Benin

“…In this study, we had no information on the serological status of mothers, but in Benin, since 2002, HBV vaccine has been administered to infants from 6 weeks of age [9] as part of EPI intervention and therefore probably the majority of the students included in the study were not vaccinated in childhood and neither were their parents. The risk of mother-child contamination is therefore not negligible.…”

“…In Benin, the prevalence of HBV infection, cirrhosis and primary liver cancer are poorly documented in adolescents and youth but clinical reports are alarming. The prevalence of HBV is estimated from the 2013 national survey to be 9.9%, which corresponds to about 1,000,000 people with HBV in Benin's estimated population of 10 million [9]. In 2019, seroprevalence of HBV and its associated factors were determined based on data from a screening campaign targeting the general volunteers in Benin.…”

“…Age, gender, geographic region, socioeconomic status, immunization status, lifestyle, sanitation and hygiene, and their relative contributions can influence the prevalence of HBV infection [11] [12]. Among the interventions carried out by Benin country, there were: 1) the introduction in 2002 of the hepatitis B vaccine, systematic and free of charge for children from 0 to 11 months of age within the framework of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) [9], and the 2) the promulgation of law 2017-28 on the prevention, management and control of hepatitis B and C in the Republic of Benin adopted on September 14, 2017 [13]. Unfortunately, most people with chronic viral hepatitis are not aware of their status and do not receive appropriate treatment, particularly young people aged 15 to 24 [10] [12] [14].…”

Viral Hepatitis C during a Screening Campaign in General Population of Benin: Seroprevalence and Associated Factors

“…In Benin, although national prevalence is unknown, it was estimated at 4.12% based on a 2013 survey among new blood donors [7]. Higher prevalence has been reported in some populations: 20% in sickle cell patients [8] and 7.6% in army recruits [9].…”