HBV Transmission Risk Assessment in Healthcare Workers, Household and Sexual Contacts of HBV Infected Patients in the Southwest Region of Cameroon
Journal Title: Oman Medical Journal - Year 2019, Vol 34, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to be highly transmissible via the body fluids of an infected person. We investigated the transmission risks, awareness, and prevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs), household contacts (HHCs), and sexual partners (SPs) of HBV infected individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HCWs, HBV infected individuals as well as their corresponding HHCs and SPs. Data related to some transmission risks and HBV awareness was obtained from each participant using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each participant and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e-antigen, and anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc). HBV viral load measurement was done for the HBV infected participants. Results: A total of 596 participants were enrolled (127 HCWs, 128 HHCs, 138 SPs, and 203 HBV infected participants). HHCs (odds ratio (OR) = 3.85, confidence interval (CI): 1.89–7.81), and SPs (OR = 3.04, CI: 1.51–6.17) were more associated with HBsAg/anti-HBc positivity compared to HCWs. Age, years spent with HBV infected partner, unprotected sex, and marriage were not identified as risk factors for HBV sexual transmission but cohabiting with an HBV infected SP was significantly (p = 0.005) associated with transmission (OR = 3.56, CI: 1.46–8.72). Female HHCs (OR = 2.48, CI: 1.06–5.80) and SPs (OR = 2.64, CI: 0.95–7.30) were more associated with HBsAg/anti-HBc positivity. The mean viral load (log IU) of HBV infected individuals (3.9±2.0) with HBsAg positive SPs was significantly higher than that of HBV infected individuals (2.8±1.0) with HBsAg negative SPs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: HHCs and SPs of HBV infected patients are more associated with HBV infection compared to HCWs. Horizontal transmission can as well be implicated among SPs since unprotected sex was not identified as a risk factor for transmission, but cohabitation was. Prompt management and preventive measures could be implemented if HHCs and SPs of HBV infected patients are identified, sensitized, and screened.
Authors and Affiliations
Kukwah Anthony Tufon, Henry Dilonga Meriki, Tebit Emmanuel Kwenti, Nyeke James Tony, Ekeme Malika, Ayah Flora Bolimo, Youmbi Sylvain Kouanou, Theresa Nkuo-Akenji, Damian Nota Anong
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP609511
- DOI 10.5001/omj.2019.62
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Foreign Body Ingestion in Children: The Role of X-ray
Iread with great interest the retrospective review of foreign body ingestion among Omani children published in the November 2018 issue of the Oman Medical Journal. Of the 585 patients reviewed, 385 were enrolled based on...
Letter in Reply: Pediatric Crohn’s Disease in Bahrain
e thank the author for his interest in our manuscript and his valuable comments. We agree that the rate of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in our cohort is low (8%) compared to that reported worldwide.
Endonasal Endoscopic Complete Excision of Unilateral Nasal Hemangioma in a Child: Case Report and Technical Note
Intranasal lobular hemangioma of the inferior turbinate is a rare occurrence in children. A 12-year-old girl presented with a two-month history of multiple epistaxis episodes. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed...
Biological Effects of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Testis Histology and Seminiferous Tubules Morphometry
Objectives: Spermatogenesis is a regular and lengthy process in which the function of testicular cells may potentially be influenced by several extrinsic and intrinsic stressors, including environmental factors such as m...
Giant Submandibular Calculus Eroding Oral Cavity Mucosa
Sialolithiasis is the formation of calculi or sialoliths in the salivary gland. It is the most common benign condition of the salivary gland. Sialolithiasis can occur in all salivary glands. The submandibular gland is mo...