PLoS ONE (Jan 2024)

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and its associated factors among students in N'Djamena, Chad.

  • Nalda Debsikréo,
  • Birwé Léon Mankréo,
  • Azoukalné Moukénet,
  • Merwa Ouangkake,
  • Nathan Mara,
  • Ali Mahamat Moussa,
  • Ndèye Coumba Toure-Kane,
  • Françoise Lunel-Fabiani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273589
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 4
p. e0273589

Abstract

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IntroductionInfection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major issue in public health. The prevalence of HBV in Chad is 12.4%, all age groups considered. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and its associated factors among university students in N'Djamena, the country's capital.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of students at either the University of N'djamena or Emi Koussi University was conducted from 3 to 23 July 2021. All participating students provided signed, informed consent and were included in the study consecutively. Blood samples were collected, and serum tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using the Determine HBsAg rapid test kit, with confirmation of positive tests on an Abbott Architect i1000SR analyzer. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to determine associations between the outcome variable and independent/covariate variables.ResultsA total of 457 students with a median age of 24 years were included across different faculties. The prevalence of HBV infection was 14.87% (68/457). Most students (75%) were aged 25 years or less. Unprotected sex was reported by 64.9% of the students and multiple sexual partners by 53.6%. Furthermore, 45.7% of them reported having no knowledge of hepatitis B. Having an HBsAg-positive mother (AOR: 2.11), having a history of transcutaneous medical procedures (AOR: 2.97) and living with a family (AOR: 4.63) were significantly associated with HBV status. Age ≥26 years appeared as a protective factor (AOR = 0.41).ConclusionOur study detected a high, 14.87% prevalence of HBV infection among students in N'djamena, Chad, and shed light on its associated factors. HBV prevention strategies should include raising awareness among students, making full hepatitis vaccination mandatory before children begin school, promoting mass screening to identify and treat chronic HBV carriers and reduce transmission, and reducing the cost of vaccination.