Seropositivity of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen among hepatitis B surface antigen-negative vaccinated individuals aged 5–12 years in North West Ethiopia
Adane Adugna,
Deresse Sinamaw,
Temesgen Baylie,
Mamaru Getinet,
Aysheshim Belaineh Haimanot,
Gashaw Azanaw Amare,
Habtamu Belew,
Zigale Hibstu,
Desalegn Abebaw,
Abebe Fenta,
Muluken Getinet,
Dagmawi Abiy,
Agenagnew Ashagre,
Mohammed Jemal
Affiliations
Adane Adugna
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Deresse Sinamaw
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Temesgen Baylie
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Mamaru Getinet
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Aysheshim Belaineh Haimanot
Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Gashaw Azanaw Amare
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Habtamu Belew
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Zigale Hibstu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Desalegn Abebaw
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Abebe Fenta
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Muluken Getinet
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Dagmawi Abiy
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Agenagnew Ashagre
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldiya University, Woldiya, Ethiopia
Mohammed Jemal
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Background: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major global public health concern, especially in Ethiopia. Evidence suggests that some children in Ethiopia who have received hepatitis B vaccinations are still contracting HBV. Objective: The main aim of this study was to detect antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) among vaccinated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative individuals in North-West Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 158 children aged 5–12 years from April 2021 to November 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. After 3–5 ml of venous blood was drawn from each study participant, a serum sample was utilized to determine hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression with a 95 % CI was used to show the statistical association. Results: The total seropositivity of anti-HBc among vaccinated HBsAg-negative participants was 8/158 (5.1 %) (95 % CI: 2.0–9.0). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that children who had a previous history of blood transfusion were six times (AOR: 6.135, 95 % CI: 4.063, 10.752) (P < 0.006) more likely to develop anti-HBc. Moreover, children who had a previous history of surgery were five times (AOR: 5.116, 95 % CI: 3.123, 8.718) (P < 0.002) more likely to become anti-HBc seropositive. Conclusion: There was a significant seroprevalence of anti-HBc in our study area, suggesting possible exposure to the virus despite immunization.
