[Prevalence Of Antigen HBs Carriage In A Population Of Candidates For The National Gendarmerie Recruitment In Abidjan].

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg carriage in candidates for gendarmerie recruitment.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from April 7, 2010 to September 12, 2010 at the Abidjan military hospital. It involved candidates for the national gendarmerie competitive examination who agreed to take part in the study. The parameters studied were socio-demographic characteristics, factors of exposure to the hepatitis B virus and the presence of HBs antigen in the blood. Data were analyzed using EPI INFO software. Proportions were compared using the chi-square test or the chi-square test with Yates correction, or Fischer's exact test when the conditions for applying chi-square were not met. The difference was statistically significant if p ≤ 0.05.

Results: During the study period, we included 891 male candidates, whose average age was 22.5 years (18-26 years). The prevalence carriage of HBsAg in the candidates was 15.6%. The prevalence carriage of HBsAg was highest in candidates aged 18 years (24%), in married candidates (33.3%) and in those who had more than three sexual partners 6 months prior to the survey (19.4%).The prevalence carriage of HBsAg was also higher in candidates who had never used condoms (20.6%), in those who were transfused (27%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg carriage is high in candidates for gendarmerie recruitment. A policy of vaccination against HBV must be implemented to reduce HBsAg carriage in the army and in the ivorian population.