Nkengeh N. Tazinkeng, 1, Denis G. Teuwafeu, MD1, Akwi W. Asombang, MD, MPH2, Valirie A. Ndip, MD, MSc3, Seth M. Bloom, MD, PhD4, Alick Nkhoma, MD, FRCP5, Amir M. Mohareb, MD4, Henry Luma, MD, MRCP, FRCP6 1University of Buea, Buea, Sud-Ouest, Cameroon; 2Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; 3Health Education and Research Organization (HERO), Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon; 4Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; 5University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom; 6HGD, Douala, MD
Introduction: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are the leading causes of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related mortality in resource-limited countries, including Cameroon. The epidemiology and specific factors associated with HBV and HCV infection vary across communities. Therefore, identifying prevalent risk factors in individual communities will facilitate appropriate targeting of intervention programs. We sought to determine the prevalence of HBV surface antigenemia and anti-HCV seropositivity and identify factors associated with infection in the Buea Health District, an urban region.
Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in four randomly selected health areas in Buea Health District from February-May, 2021. We screened consenting individuals aged >15 years for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess for factors associated with HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity.
Results: We included a total of 1144 participants (66% female, median age 30 years [IQR 23-44]). The prevalence of HBV surface antigenemia and anti-HCV seropositivity were 5.7% (95% CI: 4.5-7.2%) and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.3-2.9%), respectively. After controlling for confounding, male sex (adjusted OR [aOR]=2.31; CI: 1.28-4.18; p=0.006) and a history of traditional operation/scarification (aOR = 2.87; CI: 1.67-4.92; p< 0.001) were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. Living in Molyko town was also significantly associated with HBsAg positivity when compared to living in Buea town (aOR = 0.35; CI: 0.13-0.94; p=0.037) or Bokwango (aOR = 0 .27; CI: 0.08-0.91; p=0.034). No assessed factor was significantly associated with HCV seropositivity. Only 4.9% of participants had been vaccinated for HBV. Three people (0.3%) had both HBsAg positivity and HCV seropositivity.
Discussion: Prevalence of active HBV infection and HCV seropositivity remain high and HBV vaccination rates are low in this general community survey, even in a relatively young population in a district enriched for university students in Cameroon. Study limitations include the cross-sectional design and resource limitations preventing assessment of HBV serologies, HCV viremia, degree of liver injury, and HIV coinfection. Screening and linkage to care should be emphasized in this general population, particularly among men and people with a history of traditional operation/scarification.
Figure: Fig 1: Factors associated with HBsAg on multiple logistic regression analysis. Measures of association are displayed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR), black squares, with the 95% confidence interval (CI), horizontal spikes. The aOR and 95% CI are plotted on the logarithmic scale. The solid black vertical line at aOR of 1.0 refers to the null value.
Disclosures:
Nkengeh Tazinkeng indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Denis Teuwafeu indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Akwi Asombang indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Valirie Ndip indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Seth Bloom indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Alick Nkhoma indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Amir Mohareb indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Henry Luma indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Nkengeh N. Tazinkeng, 1, Denis G. Teuwafeu, MD1, Akwi W. Asombang, MD, MPH2, Valirie A. Ndip, MD, MSc3, Seth M. Bloom, MD, PhD4, Alick Nkhoma, MD, FRCP5, Amir M. Mohareb, MD4, Henry Luma, MD, MRCP, FRCP6. P0717 - Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Hepatitis B and C in an Urban Health District in Cameroon, West Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study, ACG 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Las Vegas, Nevada: American College of Gastroenterology.
