Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and serological markers of other endemic infections in HIV-infected children, adolescents and pregnant women in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study
George A. Yendewa, Sulaiman Lakoh, Sahr A. Yendewa, K Bangura, Hannah Lawrence, Lucía Patiño, Darlinda F. Jiba, Alren O. Vandy, Mariama J.S. Murray, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Gibrilla F. Deen, Foday Sahr, Christopher J. Hoffmann, Jeffrey M. Jacobson, Eva Poveda, Antonio Aguilera, Robert A. Salata
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of serological markers of HBV and endemic acute and chronic infections (HAV, HCV, CMV, HTLV-1/2 and syphilis) in HIV-infected children, adolescents and pregnant women in Sierra Leone. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the national children's and women's hospitals in Freetown. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of HBsAg positivity. RESULTS: (aOR 3.97 [1.07-14.71]; p = 0.039) predicted HBsAg positivity. CONCLUSION: A high burden of chronic HBV and other endemic infections was observed among HIV-infected patients born pre-2009 before implementation of routine HBV immunization in Sierra Leone, warranting targeted screening and immunization of this high-risk population.