title: HBsAg seroprevalence among Senegalese militaries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic hepatitis is a major public health problem. Hepatitis B virus is the primary cause, and Hepatitis B and C together are responsible for 60% of cirrhosis and 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas. This study measured the prevalence of HBsAg among Senegalese military to develop an appropriate strategy to prevent cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among Senegalese military aged 25 to 60 years. A sample of 1224 participants was selected following a two-level-stratification. The mark of surface HBs antigen using chemiluminescence concerned 1195 participants. The presence of HBsAg was analyzed according to age, marital status, alcohol consumption and glomerular filtration rate. Epi-info6fr and R software were used, respectively, for data capture and analyses. A Chi-square test was performed to compare proportions considering a significance level of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age was 39.8 ± 9.2 years. Participants in the age groups of 25-34 years, 45-60 years and 35-44 years were respectively 30.7%, 34.4% and 34.9% of the sample. Married persons represented 82.6% of participants and 17.08% were single. Most participants were educated (99%), and 56% had reached at least secondary school level. Alcohol consumption was at 11.5%. The HBsAg prevalence rate was 10.8% [9.1% to 12.7%] with a significant difference between age groups (P < 0.001), which ranged from 5.6% for 45-60 years, 9.62% for 25-34 years to 16.9% for 35-44 years. Marital status and alcohol consumption did not affect the carriage of HBsAg. HBsAg prevalence was more common among participants who had a glomerular filtration rate greater than 90 ml/min. Transaminases rate exceeded the normal threshold for 43 participants (3.6%); the increase was 6.6% [2.7% to 11.8%] for HBsAg carriers and 3.2% [1.2% to 6.7%] for alcohol users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of HBsAg in the military requires the implementation of an effective prevention and care program to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and contribute to reducing the burden of communicable diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, and non-communicable diseases.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, University Alioune Diop of Bambey, Bambey City, Senegal ; Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Abdoul A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.affiliation: Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal ; World Health Organization, Bamako, Mali.
authors.forename: Ibrahima Socé
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Fall
authors.affiliation: Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Gora
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
authors.forename: Sidy Mouhamed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Seck
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, University Alioune Diop of Bambey, Bambey City, Senegal ; Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Alioune Badara
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Tall
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, University Alioune Diop of Bambey, Bambey City, Senegal ; Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Boubacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gueye
authors.affiliation: Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Amady Barro
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mbodj
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Anta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tal-Dia
keywords: Chronic diseases; HBsAg; Military; Seroprevalence