A very high frequency of hepatitis B and C virus infections during an active screening campaign in Abidjan

Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem affecting billions of people globally. Limited information is available on this issue in Cote d’Ivoire. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) during an active screening campaign in Abidjan. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Pasteur Institute of Cote d’Ivoire from July 2015 to February 2016. The ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the National Ethical and Research Committee. An informed written consent was obtained from the participants of the study and administered a questionnaire related to the socio demographical information and risk factors of a possible route transmission HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Blood samples were collected for the detection of HBS Ag, Ab-HBc IgG and Ab-HCV. Serological analyses were performed by Cobase 601 (RocheR). Data were analyzed by R software. A total of 1801 patients were recruited; among them 138 children (7.7%) aged from 0 to 15 years and 1663 adults (92.3%). The sex ratio was 1.2 (964/837). The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 30. 9% (557/1801) and 41.1% (702/1708) for Ab–HBc IgG. About HCV, the overall prevalence rate was 5.3% (95/1687), none of the children was HCV positive. The co-infection HBV/HCV rate was 0.95% (16/1687). HCV was associated with age and sexual risk behaviors. HBV was associated with gender, youth, sexual risk behaviors, and scarification. Our findings revealed a high prevalence of HBV. The measures to reduce the disease and its load transmission must be strengthened. Key words: Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, seroprevalence, risk factors, Cote d’Ivoire.