Journal of Preventive Medicine & Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B remains, despite scientific advances, a major global public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2019 that 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV among blood donors at Toukra Sanitary District Hospital in Chad.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Hospital of Toukra Sanitary District between September 2018 and February 2019. Demographic and clinical data, and seroprevalence for HBV infections were determined by appropriate methods. Data obtained were analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.2.0.1 software. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result: One hundred blood donors were recruited, 79 men and 21 women with a sex ratio of 3.76 in favor of men. The mean age was 29.82 ± 6.63 years, with extremes of 18 and 57 years. The 18-25 and 26-35 age groups were the most represented with 33% each. Students and pupils represented 44% of the study population. The seroprevalence of HBV was 5%. There was no statistically significant association between HBV infection and the socio-demographic variables studied.

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HBV among blood donors at Toukra Sanitary District Hospital is high. This requires strengthening preventive measures, particularly vaccination, systematic screening of donors, and health education on transmission routes.