Cross sectional study of chronic hepatitis B prevalence among healthcare workers in an urban setting, Sierra Leone.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Hepatitis B is a serious public health problem across sub-Saharan Africa. Sierra Leone has no national hepatitis B strategy plan or high quality estimates of prevalence. Healthcare workers are perceived as an at-risk group for hepatitis B. We assessed the prevalence of hepatitis B among healthcare workers at two hospital sites in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Methods

In October 2017, healthcare workers were offered voluntary testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) using rapid lateral flow assay for all samples, followed by Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay to confirm positive results. Participants completed a questionnair

SUBMITTER: Massaquoi TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6086405 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature