PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa.

  • Alexandra M Bitty-Anderson,
  • Valentine Ferré,
  • Fifonsi A Gbeasor-Komlanvi,
  • Martin Kouame Tchankoni,
  • Arnold Sadio,
  • Mounerou Salou,
  • Diane Descamps,
  • Claver A Dagnra,
  • Charlotte Charpentier,
  • Didier K Ekouevi,
  • Patrick A Coffie

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259891
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 12
p. e0259891

Abstract

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BackgroundHepatitis B and C are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence among the highest in the World. However, several challenges impede the progression towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 as suggested by the World Health Organization Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, including the lack of knowledge on the scale of this epidemic in the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers (FSW) in Togo.MethodsThis ancillary study from a national cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in eight towns of Togo among FSW. Socio-demographic, behavioral and sexual characteristics were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for HIV, hepatitis B and C serological testing. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and a logistic regression model.ResultsOut of the 1,036 FSW recruited for this study, biological analyses for viral hepatitis were completed for 769 of them. The median age was 26 years [IQR: 22-33] and 49.8% (n = 383) had attained secondary school. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 9.9% [95% CI: (7.9-12.2)] and the prevalence of hepatitis C was 5.3% [95% CI: (3.9-7.2)]. Higher hepatitis B and C prevalence was associated with recruitment out of Lomé (aOR: 6.63; 95%CI: 3.51-13.40, p ConclusionsResults from this study reveals high prevalence of hepatitis B and C among FSW in Togo and an opportunity for advocacy toward the introduction of immunizations and treatment in this population.