ABSTRACT
Background: Data on the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) within correctional facilities is limited in Ghana, even though the prevalence suggests intra-prison transmission.
Aim: This study determined the level of transmissibility, new infections, and intraprison transmission of HBV among inmates in Ghana
Methodology: Immunoglobulin M antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were determined for 323 archived plasma samples obtained from a nationwide prison survey. Risk factors for high HBV transmissibility and recent infections were determined using Pearson‟s chi square test, t test and a binary logistic regression analysis. The Surface (S) gene was sequenced for 17 plasma samples, 9 of which were from one prison and 8 with recent infections from other prisons. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence identity matrix were used to establish possible transmission within a selected prison.
Results: Out of the 323 HBsAg positive samples screened, 91(28.2%) were HBeAg positive and 16 (5.0%) were anti-HBc IgM positive. HBeAg was found to be strongly associated with the type of prison (p< 0.001) and the length of stay within the prison (p= 0.033). Fever, genital pain and discharge were also found to be significantly associated with recent infections (p=0.040) and transmissibility (p= 0.005, p=0.010), respectively.
AMERLEY, A (2021). Transmission Of Hepatitis B Virus Among Prison Inmates In Ghana. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/transmission-of-hepatitis-b-virus-among-prison-inmates-in-ghana
AMERLEY, ANGELA "Transmission Of Hepatitis B Virus Among Prison Inmates In Ghana" Afribary. Afribary, 26 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/transmission-of-hepatitis-b-virus-among-prison-inmates-in-ghana. Accessed 02 May. 2024.
AMERLEY, ANGELA . "Transmission Of Hepatitis B Virus Among Prison Inmates In Ghana". Afribary, Afribary, 26 May. 2021. Web. 02 May. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/transmission-of-hepatitis-b-virus-among-prison-inmates-in-ghana >.
AMERLEY, ANGELA . "Transmission Of Hepatitis B Virus Among Prison Inmates In Ghana" Afribary (2021). Accessed May 02, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/transmission-of-hepatitis-b-virus-among-prison-inmates-in-ghana