Viral hepatitis in conflict-affected populations: a serosurvey of internally displaced persons, a 2017 post-outbreak assessment in Borno State, Nigeria, September to October 2021.
1
Public Health Laboratory Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria
2
Planning research and statistics, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria
3
FG15 Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
4
Medical Laboratory Service, Borno State Ministry of Health, Maiduguri, Nigeria
5
Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Borno State Ministry of Health, Maiduguri, Nigeria
6
Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria
7
Office of the Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria
8
Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge globally.1-5 Nigeria bears a disproportionate burden of the disease and is among top 10 countries accounting for 80% of the disease worldwide, with hepatitis B, C and E contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality.6,7 An outbreak of hepatitis occurred in 2017 at internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State, causing 146 suspected and 21 confirmed cases, 25 cases among pregnant women, and 2 deaths.8 This study evaluated hepatitis biomarkers among IDPs post-outbreak to guide surveillance, prevention, control, response strategies, and interventions.
METHODS:
Total of 454 IDPs (211 males) 46.5% and (243 females) 53.5%, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, were randomly selected. Their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data were collected. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using rapid tests, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were analyzed, integrated, and interpreted for informed policy decisions and actions.
RESULTS:
The overall seroprevalence among males and females were 13.7% and 14.0% for HBsAg, 1.9% and 0.8% for HCV, 40.3% and 43.2% for anti-HEV IgG, 0% and 0% for anti-HEV IgM respectively. Total seroprevalence for both genders were 13.9% for HBsAg, 1.3% for anti-HCV, and 41.9% for anti-HEV IgG. In pregnant women, HBsAg/anti-HEV IgG co-detection rate was 28.6%, whereas HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG rates alone were 13.4% and 32.8%. Among breastfeeding mothers, 17.1%, 2.4%, and 36.6% were positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HEV IgG, whereas 2.2% of them were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of viral hepatitis biomarkers among the IDPs in this study was higher than reported national figures and differed according to gender and population subgroups. 1,9,10 There is need for improved access to viral hepatitis testing for enhanced surveillance, prevention and control in these medically underserved populations.
Viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge globally.1-5 Nigeria bears a disproportionate burden of the disease and is among top 10 countries accounting for 80% of the disease worldwide, with hepatitis B, C and E contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality.6,7 An outbreak of hepatitis occurred in 2017 at internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State, causing 146 suspected and 21 confirmed cases, 25 cases among pregnant women, and 2 deaths.8 This study evaluated hepatitis biomarkers among IDPs post-outbreak to guide surveillance, prevention, control, response strategies, and interventions.
METHODS:
Total of 454 IDPs (211 males) 46.5% and (243 females) 53.5%, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, were randomly selected. Their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data were collected. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using rapid tests, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were analyzed, integrated, and interpreted for informed policy decisions and actions.
RESULTS:
The overall seroprevalence among males and females were 13.7% and 14.0% for HBsAg, 1.9% and 0.8% for HCV, 40.3% and 43.2% for anti-HEV IgG, 0% and 0% for anti-HEV IgM respectively. Total seroprevalence for both genders were 13.9% for HBsAg, 1.3% for anti-HCV, and 41.9% for anti-HEV IgG. In pregnant women, HBsAg/anti-HEV IgG co-detection rate was 28.6%, whereas HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG rates alone were 13.4% and 32.8%. Among breastfeeding mothers, 17.1%, 2.4%, and 36.6% were positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HEV IgG, whereas 2.2% of them were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of viral hepatitis biomarkers among the IDPs in this study was higher than reported national figures and differed according to gender and population subgroups. 1,9,10 There is need for improved access to viral hepatitis testing for enhanced surveillance, prevention and control in these medically underserved populations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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