Use of replacement blood donors to study the epidemiology of major blood‐borne viruses in the general population of Maputo, Mozambique

Abstract

The seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Mozambique are poorly documented. The epidemiology of these infections was studied in the Maputo region. All donors attending the blood bank during the study period were interviewed and underwent serological and molecular tests for markers of virus exposure. Thus, 1,578 consecutive replacement blood donors were investigated, as they undergo no selection (other than their relation with a patient needing a transfusion), and may thus provide reliable estimates of the prevalence rates in the general population. The age-standardized prevalence rates among 15- to 49-year-old men and women were, respectively, 12.3 and 15.4% for HIV and 0.9 and 1.2% for HTLV. Low educational status (P = 0.014) and tattooing/scarification (P = 0.023) were predictive of HIV infection in multivariate analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence rates of markers of hepatotropic virus among men and women were, respectively, 10.6 and 4.5% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 1.2 and 1.0% for anti-HCV, and 0 and 0% for anti-HDV. Two percent of donors had viral co-infections, involving most frequently the combination of HIV and HBsAg +. A significant association was found between anti-HIV and anti-HBc (P = 0.012). HBsAg was associated with the place of birth (P = 0.011) and a history of transfusion (P = 0.069). Smokers had higher seroprevalence rates than nonsmokers for HIV (P < 0.0001) and HBsAg (P = 0.045). Genotype A was the most frequent HBV genotype (86.3%) followed by E and D. HCV genotypes were 1a, 1b, 3a, and 5a. These results show that HBV vaccination and HIV-preventive measures need to be reinforced in Mozambique.

Female Gender Participation in the Blood Donation Process in Resource Poor Settings: Case study of Sokoto in North Western Nigeria

“…In a recent survey in Central, Western, and Eastern Franco-phone African regions, all 7 countries surveyed reported less than 30% females in their donor population [17]. Reports from Anglophone East and Southern African countries have also shown a male dominance in their blood donation programs [18]. Our finding is in agreement with previous report among blood donors in India which indicated that female gender is less disposed to blood donation [19].…”

Seroprevalence of HIV/HBV Coinfection in Malian Blood Donors

“…In a Senegalese blood transfusion center, the seroprevalence was 0.56%, 17 in Guinea 0.84%, 18 in Nigeria 2.7%, 19 in Tanzania 3.8%, 20 in Burkina Faso 4.6%, 21 and 13% in Mozambique. 22 This study showed an HBV prevalence of 14.9% among our study population. Another recent study conducted at the CNTS has revealed an HBV prevalence of 15.25%.…”

“…Lower prevalence of coinfection has been recorded in Cameroon (0.69%), 25 Nigeria (0.4%), 19 and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1%). 22,24 However, higher coinfection seroprevalence were recorded in Mozambique (2%), 22 Congo Brazzaville (5.76%), 26 and Ethiopia (34.0%). 27 Our results showed that HIV-seropositive patients were more likely to be infected by HBsAg than HIV seronegative patients (OR ¼ 2.02; CI: 1.63-2.49).This result is similar to studies done in Mozambique 22 and Zimbabwe.…”

“…22,24 However, higher coinfection seroprevalence were recorded in Mozambique (2%), 22 Congo Brazzaville (5.76%), 26 and Ethiopia (34.0%). 27 Our results showed that HIV-seropositive patients were more likely to be infected by HBsAg than HIV seronegative patients (OR ¼ 2.02; CI: 1.63-2.49).This result is similar to studies done in Mozambique 22 and Zimbabwe. 23 Similarly, two studies from Nigeria conducted among blood donors showed an increased prevalence of HBsAg in HIV-seropositive patients.…”

“…20 A prevalence of 9.3% was recorded in Mozambique with the regular blood donors and 15% in the new blood donors. 22 The prevalence variation can be explained by the different study population and the study sample size. This variation from one country to another could also be dependent on the method of recruiting the blood donors in each of these countries and from each country's HIV prevalence in the general population.…”