Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Population of Kara, Togo
DOSSIM S *
Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHU Kara, Togo and Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Kara, Togo.
EL HADJ R
Service d’hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, CHU Kara, Togo.
ALOWE K.
Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHU Kara, Togo.
MABA D
Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Kara, Togo and Centre Hospitalier Régional de Tomdé, Kara, Togo.
DEDE A.
Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHU Kara, Togo.
SOMSSI H
Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHU Kara, Togo.
GNONEYE E.
Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHU Kara, Togo.
KAKPOVI K.
Centre Hospitalier Régional de Tomdé, Kara, Togo.
SALOU M.
Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Togo.
DAGNRA AY
Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Togo.
PRINCE DAVID M
Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Togo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The town of Kara, Togo's second largest city, lies 400 km from the capital and is home to a diverse, predominantly rural population. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 6 villages in the town, and to identify associated factors. We carried out immunochromatographic screening for HBsAg (ONE STEP RAPID TEST, HIGHTROP Biotech, Co LTD) and HIV antibodies (DETERMINE HIV-1/2 ® Kit, ABOTT, Co LTD) during mobile clinics initiated by the Faculty of Health Sciences in April 2024. A total of 1157 patients, of whom 69% (N=1100) [IC95%: 67 to 71] were women, were consulted. HBsAg was detected in 8.76% (N=140), with 67% women and 33% men. Of the positive cases, 3.6% were in the 0-15 age group (N=5). For 1396 patients screened, the prevalence of anti-HIV-1 antibodies was 3.51%, 82% (N=40) of whom were women and 18% (N=9) men. Age was the associated factor. HIV seroprevalence was higher in subjects aged between [31-45] and [46-60] years than in other age groups (p<0.001). Co-infection with both viruses was found in 5 patients. We therefore need to step up public awareness and education to prevent new infections.
Keywords: Co-infection, HBsAg, HIV, immunochromatographic screening, prevalence, antibodies