Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Pan Afr Med J. 2017 December 31; Volume 30; 44.; DOI:10.11604/pamj.2018.30.44.14663
Yambasu EE, Reid AJ, Owiti P, Manzi M, Sia Murray MJ, et al.
Pan Afr Med J. 2017 December 31; Volume 30; 44.; DOI:10.11604/pamj.2018.30.44.14663
INTRODUCTION
Transmissible blood-borne infections are a serious threat to blood transfusion safety in West African countries; and yet blood remains a key therapeutic product in the clinical management of patients. Sierra Leone screens blood donors for blood-borne infections but has not implemented prevention of mother-to-child transmission for hepatitis B. This study aimed to describe the overall prevalence of hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016 and to compare the differences between volunteer versus family replacement donors, as well as urban versus rural donors.
METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional study from January-December 2016 in five blood bank laboratories across the country. Routinely-collected programme data were analyzed; blood donors were tested with rapid diagnostic tests-HBsAg for HBV, anti-HCV antibody for HCV, antibodies HIV1&2 for HIV and TPHA for syphilis.
RESULTS
There were 16807 blood samples analysed, with 80% from males; 2285 (13.6%) tested positive for at least one of the four pathogens. Overall prevalence was: 9.7% hepatitis B; 1.0% hepatitis C; 2.8% HIV; 0.8% syphilis. Prevalence was higher among samples from rural blood banks, the difference most marked for hepatitis C. The proportion of voluntary donors was 12%. Family replacement donors had a higher prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV than volunteers.
CONCLUSION
A high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, particularly hepatitis B, was revealed in Sierra Leone blood donors. The study suggests the country should implement the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and push to recruit more volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors.
Transmissible blood-borne infections are a serious threat to blood transfusion safety in West African countries; and yet blood remains a key therapeutic product in the clinical management of patients. Sierra Leone screens blood donors for blood-borne infections but has not implemented prevention of mother-to-child transmission for hepatitis B. This study aimed to describe the overall prevalence of hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016 and to compare the differences between volunteer versus family replacement donors, as well as urban versus rural donors.
METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional study from January-December 2016 in five blood bank laboratories across the country. Routinely-collected programme data were analyzed; blood donors were tested with rapid diagnostic tests-HBsAg for HBV, anti-HCV antibody for HCV, antibodies HIV1&2 for HIV and TPHA for syphilis.
RESULTS
There were 16807 blood samples analysed, with 80% from males; 2285 (13.6%) tested positive for at least one of the four pathogens. Overall prevalence was: 9.7% hepatitis B; 1.0% hepatitis C; 2.8% HIV; 0.8% syphilis. Prevalence was higher among samples from rural blood banks, the difference most marked for hepatitis C. The proportion of voluntary donors was 12%. Family replacement donors had a higher prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV than volunteers.
CONCLUSION
A high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, particularly hepatitis B, was revealed in Sierra Leone blood donors. The study suggests the country should implement the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and push to recruit more volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 2014 March 21; Volume 4 (Issue 1); 22-27.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0109
Khandu L, Zachariah R, Van der Bergh R, Wangchuk D, Tshering N, et al.
Public Health Action. 2014 March 21; Volume 4 (Issue 1); 22-27.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0109
SETTING
Two free-standing urban human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counselling (HCT) centres in Bhutan offering services to the general population and targeting the most at-risk populations (MARPs).
OBJECTIVES
To assess the trend in testing for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in both the general population and MARPs, and to determine if sociodemographic and risk behaviour characteristics are associated with HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis seropositivity.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study using client records, 2009–2012.
RESULTS
Of 7894 clients, 3009 (38%) were from the general population, while 4885 (62%) were from MARPs. Over the 4-year period, testing declined progressively among the general population, while it increased or remained static for MARPs. Of 4885 MARPs, seropositivity was respectively 0.7%, 1.3% and 1.2% for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. Female sex workers (FSWs) (relative risk[RR] 4.4, P=0.03) and partners of person living with HIV(RR 25.9, P<0.001) had a higher risk of being HIV-positive. FSWs had also a greater risk of being syphilis-positive(RR 9.1, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The increase in uptake of HCT services by MARPs is a welcome finding; however, the relatively static trends call for the introduction of community outreach approaches. The critical gateway being provided to MARPs is an ‘opportunity’ for the expansion of the current service package.
Two free-standing urban human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counselling (HCT) centres in Bhutan offering services to the general population and targeting the most at-risk populations (MARPs).
OBJECTIVES
To assess the trend in testing for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in both the general population and MARPs, and to determine if sociodemographic and risk behaviour characteristics are associated with HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis seropositivity.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study using client records, 2009–2012.
RESULTS
Of 7894 clients, 3009 (38%) were from the general population, while 4885 (62%) were from MARPs. Over the 4-year period, testing declined progressively among the general population, while it increased or remained static for MARPs. Of 4885 MARPs, seropositivity was respectively 0.7%, 1.3% and 1.2% for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. Female sex workers (FSWs) (relative risk[RR] 4.4, P=0.03) and partners of person living with HIV(RR 25.9, P<0.001) had a higher risk of being HIV-positive. FSWs had also a greater risk of being syphilis-positive(RR 9.1, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The increase in uptake of HCT services by MARPs is a welcome finding; however, the relatively static trends call for the introduction of community outreach approaches. The critical gateway being provided to MARPs is an ‘opportunity’ for the expansion of the current service package.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int J Womens Health. 2022 April 1; Volume 14; 481-489.; DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S354045
Tadesse A, Geda A
Int J Womens Health. 2022 April 1; Volume 14; 481-489.; DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S354045
BACKGROUND
Almost 1 million pregnant women were estimated to be infected with syphilis in 2016, resulting in over 350,000 adverse birth outcomes including 200,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths. More than half of infected pregnant women transmit the infection to their babies, resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including foetal death, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal death, and congenital infection in infants.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the syphilis status and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kule refugee camp health facilities, Gambella regional state, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2021.
METHODS
Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 374 pregnant women in a Kule refugee camp health facility from March 1, to July 15, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. After the interview, 2mL of venous blood sample was drawn from each of the study participants. Then, RPR test was done. When RPR tests were positive, the study subjects were considered as syphilis positive.
RESULTS
The overall syphilis positivity rate was 11.8%. Education status (unable to read and write) [AOR 6.6; 95% CI (1.5, 29.3)], presence of other STDs [AOR 3.6; 95% CI (1.4, 8.8)], having polygamy husband [AOR 3.3; 95% CI (1.6, 6.9)] and being HIV positive [AOR=5.5; 95% CI (1.1, 27.5), P=0.04] were among factors associated with syphilis infection.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
This study showed that there is very high syphilis prevalence and it is still a very important public health problem the study area. Therefore, syphilis screening and treatment of pregnant women towards the first ANC points and health education towards the mode of transmission and prevention of syphilis have to be strengthened.
Almost 1 million pregnant women were estimated to be infected with syphilis in 2016, resulting in over 350,000 adverse birth outcomes including 200,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths. More than half of infected pregnant women transmit the infection to their babies, resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including foetal death, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal death, and congenital infection in infants.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the syphilis status and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kule refugee camp health facilities, Gambella regional state, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2021.
METHODS
Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 374 pregnant women in a Kule refugee camp health facility from March 1, to July 15, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. After the interview, 2mL of venous blood sample was drawn from each of the study participants. Then, RPR test was done. When RPR tests were positive, the study subjects were considered as syphilis positive.
RESULTS
The overall syphilis positivity rate was 11.8%. Education status (unable to read and write) [AOR 6.6; 95% CI (1.5, 29.3)], presence of other STDs [AOR 3.6; 95% CI (1.4, 8.8)], having polygamy husband [AOR 3.3; 95% CI (1.6, 6.9)] and being HIV positive [AOR=5.5; 95% CI (1.1, 27.5), P=0.04] were among factors associated with syphilis infection.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
This study showed that there is very high syphilis prevalence and it is still a very important public health problem the study area. Therefore, syphilis screening and treatment of pregnant women towards the first ANC points and health education towards the mode of transmission and prevention of syphilis have to be strengthened.