HBV Transmission Risk Assessment in Healthcare Workers, Household and Sexual Contacts of HBV Infected Patients in the Southwest Region of Cameroon

Kukwah Anthony Tufon; Henry Dilonga Meriki; Tebit Emmanuel Kwenti1; Nyeke James Tony; Ekeme Malika; Ayah Flora Bolimo; Youmbi Sylvain Kouanou; Theresa Nkuo-Akenji; Damian Nota Anong

doi:10.5001/omj.2019.62

Oman Medical Journal (Jul 2019)

HBV Transmission Risk Assessment in Healthcare Workers, Household and Sexual Contacts of HBV Infected Patients in the Southwest Region of Cameroon

Kukwah Anthony Tufon,
Henry Dilonga Meriki,
Tebit Emmanuel Kwenti1,
Nyeke James Tony,
Ekeme Malika,
Ayah Flora Bolimo,
Youmbi Sylvain Kouanou,
Theresa Nkuo-Akenji,
Damian Nota Anong

Affiliations

Kukwah Anthony Tufon: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon
Henry Dilonga Meriki: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon; Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Tebit Emmanuel Kwenti1: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon; Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Nyeke James Tony: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon
Ekeme Malika: Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon; Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ayah Flora Bolimo: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Diagnostic Laboratory, Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon
Youmbi Sylvain Kouanou: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Theresa Nkuo-Akenji: Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
Damian Nota Anong: Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2019.62
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 34, no. 4
pp. 313 – 321

Abstract

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Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to be highly transmissible via the body fluids of an infected person. We investigated the transmission risks, awareness, and prevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs), household contacts (HHCs), and sexual partners (SPs) of HBV infected individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HCWs, HBV infected individuals as well as their corresponding HHCs and SPs. Data related to some transmission risks and HBV awareness was obtained from each participant using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each participant and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e-antigen, and anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc). HBV viral load measurement was done for the HBV infected participants. Results: A total of 596 participants were enrolled (127 HCWs, 128 HHCs, 138 SPs, and 203 HBV infected participants). HHCs (odds ratio (OR) = 3.85, confidence interval (CI): 1.89–7.81), and SPs (OR = 3.04, CI: 1.51–6.17) were more associated with HBsAg/anti-HBc positivity compared to HCWs. Age, years spent with HBV infected partner, unprotected sex, and marriage were not identified as risk factors for HBV sexual transmission but cohabiting with an HBV infected SP was significantly (p = 0.005) associated with transmission (OR = 3.56, CI: 1.46–8.72). Female HHCs (OR = 2.48, CI: 1.06–5.80) and SPs (OR = 2.64, CI: 0.95–7.30) were more associated with HBsAg/anti-HBc positivity. The mean viral load (log IU) of HBV infected individuals (3.9±2.0) with HBsAg positive SPs was significantly higher than that of HBV infected individuals (2.8±1.0) with HBsAg negative SPs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: HHCs and SPs of HBV infected patients are more associated with HBV infection compared to HCWs. Horizontal transmission can as well be implicated among SPs since unprotected sex was not identified as a risk factor for transmission, but cohabitation was. Prompt management and preventive measures could be implemented if HHCs and SPs of HBV infected patients are identified, sensitized, and screened.

Published in Oman Medical Journal

ISSN: 1999-768X (Print); 2070-5204 (Online)
Publisher: Oman Medical Specialty Board
Country of publisher: Oman
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.omjournal.org

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