Conference abstract
Global prevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:18(109).03
Oct 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.18.109.2217
Archived on: 03 Oct 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Healthcare workers, hepatitis B virus, seroprevalence
Oral presentation
Global prevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mahamat Gadji1,&, Sebastien Kenmoe1, Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo1, Donatien Serge Mbaga1, Arnol Bowo-Ngandji1, Hervé Raoul Tazokong1, Onana Boyomo1, Richard Njouom2
1University of Yaoundé, I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes about 1 million deaths worldwide yearly. Different regions of the world show a highly variable proportion of HCWs infected and/or immunized against HBV. Global data on serologic markers of HBV infection and immunization in HCWs are very important to improve strategies for HBV control. The objective was to determine the worldwide prevalence of HBV serological markers among HCWs.
Methods: in this systematic review with meta–analyses, we searched PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) to identify studies published between 1970 and 2019 on the prevalence of HBV serological markers in HCWs worldwide. Included studies were those on the prevalence of each of the HBV serological markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg), immunoglobulin M anti-HBc, and anti-HBs. A random-effect meta-analysis resulted in the pooled prevalence of HBV serological markers infection in HCWs. Heterogeneity (I²) was assessed using the χ² test on Cochran’s Q statistic. Heterogeneity’ sources were explored through subgroup and metaregression analyses.
Results: overall, 227 studies corresponding to 448 prevalence data among HCWs were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled seroprevalences of current HBsAg, current HBeAg, and acute HBV infection among HCWs were 2.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-2.7], 0.2% (95%CI: 0.0-1.7), and 5.3% (95%CI: 1.4-11.2), respectively. The pooled seroprevalences of total immunity against HBV and immunity acquired by natural HBV infection in HCWs were 56.6% (95%CI: 48.7-63.4) and 9.2% (95%CI: 6.8-11.8), respectively. HBV infection was more prevalent in HCWs in low-income countries, particularly in Africa. The highest immunization rates against HBV in HCWs were recorded in urban areas and high-income countries.
Conclusion: new strategies are needed to improve awareness, training, screening, vaccination, post-exposure management, and treatment of HBV infection in HCWs, particularly in low-income regions.
Global prevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mahamat Gadji1,&, Sebastien Kenmoe1, Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo1, Donatien Serge Mbaga1, Arnol Bowo-Ngandji1, Hervé Raoul Tazokong1, Onana Boyomo1, Richard Njouom2
1University of Yaoundé, I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes about 1 million deaths worldwide yearly. Different regions of the world show a highly variable proportion of HCWs infected and/or immunized against HBV. Global data on serologic markers of HBV infection and immunization in HCWs are very important to improve strategies for HBV control. The objective was to determine the worldwide prevalence of HBV serological markers among HCWs.
Methods: in this systematic review with meta–analyses, we searched PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) to identify studies published between 1970 and 2019 on the prevalence of HBV serological markers in HCWs worldwide. Included studies were those on the prevalence of each of the HBV serological markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg), immunoglobulin M anti-HBc, and anti-HBs. A random-effect meta-analysis resulted in the pooled prevalence of HBV serological markers infection in HCWs. Heterogeneity (I²) was assessed using the χ² test on Cochran’s Q statistic. Heterogeneity’ sources were explored through subgroup and metaregression analyses.
Results: overall, 227 studies corresponding to 448 prevalence data among HCWs were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled seroprevalences of current HBsAg, current HBeAg, and acute HBV infection among HCWs were 2.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-2.7], 0.2% (95%CI: 0.0-1.7), and 5.3% (95%CI: 1.4-11.2), respectively. The pooled seroprevalences of total immunity against HBV and immunity acquired by natural HBV infection in HCWs were 56.6% (95%CI: 48.7-63.4) and 9.2% (95%CI: 6.8-11.8), respectively. HBV infection was more prevalent in HCWs in low-income countries, particularly in Africa. The highest immunization rates against HBV in HCWs were recorded in urban areas and high-income countries.
Conclusion: new strategies are needed to improve awareness, training, screening, vaccination, post-exposure management, and treatment of HBV infection in HCWs, particularly in low-income regions.
