Hepatitis B virus infections among health professional students in Mwanza city,Tanzania in 2016

Abstract

Background The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the vaccination against Hepatitis B virus in all infants and children up to the age of 18 years. In addition, adults in high-risk groups should also be vaccinated. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections among health professional students in the city of Mwanza, Tanzania in order to provide data that can assist in devising prevention and control strategies in this special group. Methods A cross-sectional study involving health professional students of the Catholic University of health and Allied Sciences was conducted between April and July 2016. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected using rapid antigen test while the anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies(anti-HBs) were quantified using Enzygnost Anti-HBs II assay and anti-HBV core antibodies tested using enzyme immunoassay. Results A total of 1211 health professional students with median age of 22 interquartile range (IQR):21–24 years were enrolled. The slighlty majority (57.5%) of these students were males and 475(39.2%) were in clinical practices. Out of 1211 students, 37 (3.1%) were Hepatitis B surface antigen positive. Of 1174 students tested for anti-HBs, 258 (22%) had titres > 10 IU/L indicating HBV immunity. The median anti-HBs titres was 47.7 IU/L(IQR:16–3-113). A total of 230(89.2%) students among those who were positive for anti-HBs were also positive for HBV core antibodies indicating HBV natural infections. Male sex (adjusted odd ratio(AOR):1.77, p < 0.000), being married (AOR:1.82, p = 0.002) and being in clinical practices (AOR:1.39, p = 0.028) independenlty predicted anti-HBs positivity. Conclusion A significant proportion of health professional students was naturally immune to Hepatitis B virus. There is a need to measure anti-HBs in order to reduce the cost of unnecessary vaccination especially in the countries with high endemicity of HBV.

Correlation Between Tumor Differentiation and Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Early Diagnosis and Treatment

“…These results are consistent with prior research that has suggested that HBsAg is a hazard factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (70,71). In the well-differentiated class, the results suggest a strong positive correlation between tumor size and the predictors (tumor size, HBsAg, HCV, and NAFL) (24,72,73). Furthermore, a unit increase in tumor size is associated with a 19.45 increase in tumor size of well-differentiated patients who test positive for HBsAg, HCV, and NAFL.…”

“…In patients with chronic liver illnesses such hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and NAFLD, AFP's low sensitivity and specificity become even more apparent. For instance, one study found only 41% sensitivity in hepatitis C patients and 29% sensitivity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (NAFLD) (22)(23)(24)(25). Since this is the case, AFP can only be used in conjunction with other markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of HCC (26).…”

Hepatitis B virus infection, associated factors, knowledge and vaccination status among household contacts of hepatitis B index cases in Mwanza, Tanzania

“…This finding is consistent with other studies from different population groups in Tanzania which placed Tanzania in an intermediate endemicity status according to the WHO with prevalence between 2% and 8%. In comparison to other previous studies among healthcare workers (7%) and among the HIV-infected population (6.9%) [ 20 , 21 ] the reported prevalence in the current study is comparable. In comparison to previous studies in other countries that reported prevalence of 11.9% (Zambia) [22] , 19.3% (Iran) [23] , and 30.5% (Turkey) [24] the reported prevalence in the current study is low.…”

“…This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mwanza region of Tanzania among household contacts of HBV index cases from July to August 2023. This region was selected because it is among regions with a high prevalence of HBV infection varying in different populations including healthcare workers, pregnant women, children, and people living with HIV [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] .…”

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and immunity status among healthcare workers in Beira City, Mozambique

“…In Mozambique, laboratory students usually start their practical education in hospitals and, in some cases, take on routine activities in the department with significant exposure but limited experience. HBV infection during the student period is supported by studies from sub-Saharan Africa that show a high prevalence of HBV among health professional students [27][28][29][30]. On the other hand, we cannot eliminate the possibility that the infection in HCWs is not occupational.…”