title: Hepatitis B virus prevalence in rural areas in south-west Chad.
abstract: In Chad, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is thought to have a high prevalence and is consequently responsible for numerous acute and long-term complications. It is often detected during screening in potential blood donors. However, no general population-based study on the prevalence of hepatitis B has been performed. The aim of this study was to gain an impression of the HBV prevalence in rural areas in south-west Chad. A total of 1309 individuals (745 boys/men, 564 girls/women) with a median age of 15 years (age range, 6-81 years) were screened for the presence of the hepatitis B antigen (HBsAG). We found an overall prevalence of 22.9%. The youngest age group (6-15 years) and the boys/men showed a significantly higher HBsAG prevalence compared to the older groups and the girls/women, respectively ( P < 0.01). Vertical infection during birth and horizontal infection by sharing food, water and shelter are believed to be the main sources of infection.
authors.affiliation: 1 Medical Doctor, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suesstrunk
authors.affiliation: 2 Medical Doctor, Clinique El Jiré Rapha, Moundou, Chad.
authors.forename: Fédéric Berniba
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Djongali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002596:Chad / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
keywords: Chad; Hepatitis B; prevalence; sub-Saharan Africa