The risk for hepatitis A, B, and C at two institutions for children in Somalia with different socioeconomic conditions

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 47; no. 3; p. 357
• Main Authors: Bile, K, Mohamud, O, Aden, C, Isse, A, Norder, H, Nilsson, L, Magnius, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1992
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Carrier State - epidemiology; Child; Child, Institutionalized; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis A - epidemiology; Hepatitis Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B e Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Somalia - epidemiology; Somalia; Measurement; Immunologic Factors; Eastern Africa; Prevalence; Age Factors; Antibodies; Somalia; Viral Diseases; Biology; Research Methodology; Immunity; Socioeconomic Factors; Hepatitis; Population Characteristics; Population; Physiology; Child; Demographic Factors; Arab Countries; Risk Factors; Africa; Youth; Diseases; Economic Factors; Sex Factors; Developing Countries; Africa South Of The Sahara
• ISSN: 0002-9637
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1992.47.357

The prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis A, B, and C was investigated in children from two residential institutions in Somalia. Among 596 individuals at one residence (Shebeli), the prevalences were 96% for antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), 75% for total hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, 16% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and 1.5% for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Corresponding figures for the 76 individuals at a smaller residence (Societe Organisation Sociale, SOS) were 59%, 20%, 3.9%, and 0%, respectively. At Shebeli, the HBsAg carrier rates in the 1-10-year-old age group was 28% for boys and 16% for girls. These rates were significantly higher than in the older children (16% and 7.4% for boys and girls, respectively). Fifty-eight percent of the HBsAg carriers were positive for hepatitis B e antigen. Total HBV markers were significantly more frequent in girls from Shebeli, when their duration of residence was longer than five years (89% versus 63%). The duration of stay did not influence the prevalences of HBsAg, HAV, or HCV antibodies. A followup study of children initially seronegative for HBV markers was carried out after two years. For children at Shebeli 1-10 years old, the annual seroconversion rates to HBV markers (95% confidence interval) was 60.5% (42.7-77.0%). The corresponding rate for children at SOS was 10.2% (5.2-17.5%). The differences between the two institutions in the prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis A and B, and in the annual seroconversion rate to HBV markers reflected different rates of horizontal transmission.