title: Hepatitis B, HIV, and Syphilis Seroprevalence in Pregnant Women and Blood Donors in Cameroon.
abstract: Objectives. We estimated seroprevalence and correlates of selected infections in pregnant women and blood donors in a resource-limited setting. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of laboratory seroprevalence data from pregnant women and voluntary blood donors from facilities in Cameroon in 2014. Rapid tests were performed to detect hepatitis B surface antigen, syphilis treponemal antibodies, and HIV-1/2 antibodies. Blood donations were also tested for hepatitis C and malaria. Results. The seroprevalence rates and ranges among 7069 pregnant women were hepatitis B 4.4% (1.1-9.6%), HIV 6% (3.0-10.2%), and syphilis 1.7% (1.3-3.8%) with significant variability among the sites. Correlates of infection in pregnancy in adjusted regression models included urban residence for hepatitis B (aOR 2.9, CI 1.6-5.4) and HIV (aOR 3.5, CI 1.9-6.7). Blood donor seroprevalence rates and ranges were hepatitis B 6.8% (5.0-8.8%), HIV 2.2% (1.4-2.8%), syphilis 4% (3.3-4.5%), malaria 1.9%, and hepatitis C 1.7% (0.5-2.5%). Conclusions. Hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis infections are common among pregnant women and blood donors in Cameroon with higher rates in urban areas. Future interventions to reduce vertical transmission should include universal screening for these infections early in pregnancy and provision of effective prevention tools including the birth dose of univalent hepatitis B vaccine.
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors: Jodie
authors: 0000-0002-3625-5174
authors: J
authors: Dionne-Odom
authors: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), P.O. Box 1, Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors: Rahel
authors: R
authors: Mbah
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors: Nicole J
authors: NJ
authors: Rembert
authors: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), P.O. Box 1, Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Tancho
authors: University of Buea, P.O. Box 12, Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Gregory E
authors: GE
authors: Halle-Ekane
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors: Comfort
authors: C
authors: Enah
authors: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), P.O. Box 1, Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors: Thomas K
authors: TK
authors: Welty
authors: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), P.O. Box 1, Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors: Pius M
authors: PM
authors: Tih
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors: Alan T N
authors: AT
authors: Tita
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult