title: Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus among middle to high socio-economic antenatal population in Sierra Leone.
abstract: This study was designed in order to find out the prevalence of HBV markers amongst pregnant women of middle and high socio-economic class in Sierra Leone. The aim was to determine the necessity and likely benefits of a scheme aimed at the vaccination of children of seropositive mothers who can afford the cost until mass immunisation is possible. A total of 302 women were studied. The seroprevalence rate formed in this study population was 6.2%. The proposed intervention would markedly reduce the HBV status in Sierra Leone, taking into account the high prevalent rate amongst this group. The low anti-HBs found in this population was suprisingly (5.1%); considering the high degree of antigenemia, this should be a subject for future research.
authors.affiliation: Ramsy Medical Laboratories, 11 Charlotte Street, P O. Box 491, Freetown Sierra Leone. ramsy@sierratel.sl
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Wurie
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Wurie
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gevao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012807:Sierra Leone / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens