Seroprevalence and Predictors of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections Among Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases in Dodoma Region, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Daudi J Gyunda, James J Yahaya, Emmanuel M Sindato, Alfred J Meremo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The known major causes of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) include, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV); however, there is scarcity of data regarding their seroprevalence in Tanzania. We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV and their predictors among patients with CLDs. Additionally, we also described the clinical patterns of the patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was carried at the two referral public hospitals in Dodoma region; Dodoma referral regional hospital (DRRH) and Benjamin Mkapa hospital (BMH) among 118 patients with CLDs. Rapid test immunochromatography was used to test for HBsAg whereas anti-HCV antibody positivity was tested using lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictors of HbsAg positive results, and statistical significance was set at p˂0.05.
Results: The seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody was 28% (33/118) and 3.4% (4/118), respectively. Having a chronic illness (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.76-7.19, p = 0.041), raised level of alanine transaminase (ALT) (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.74-8.21, p = 0.025), increased AST/ALT ratio (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.57-11.57, p = 0.039), and increased level of total bilirubin (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI = 1.09-24.39, p = 0.039) remained the predictors of HBsAg positivity.
Conclusion: This study reports that almost one-third of the study subjects had positive HbsAg, and the positivity of anti-HCV antibody was quite low. The positivity of HbsAg was associated with having chronic illness, increased levels of ALT, total bilirubin, and AST/ALT ratio. Therefore, emphasis should be made to maximize the screening practices for individuals with such predictors due to high possibility of being infected with HBV.
期刊介绍:
Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research is an international, peer-reviewed, open access, online journal. Publishing original research, reports, editorials, reviews and commentaries on all aspects of adult and pediatric hepatology in the clinic and laboratory including the following topics: Pathology, pathophysiology of hepatic disease Investigation and treatment of hepatic disease Pharmacology of drugs used for the treatment of hepatic disease Although the main focus of the journal is to publish research and clinical results in humans; preclinical, animal and in vitro studies will be published where they will shed light on disease processes and potential new therapies. Issues of patient safety and quality of care will also be considered. As of 1st April 2019, Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research will no longer consider meta-analyses for publication.