Seroprevalence of Viral Hepatitis Markers B in Secondary School in Abidjan: Advocacy for a Catch-Up Vaccination

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of HBs antigen in secondary schools, to appreciate the vaccination coverage of viral hepatitis B and to propose a vaccine catch-up strategy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a two-month period from April 24 to June 24, 2006 among students aged 10 - 15, in two schools (one public and the other private) of the city of Abidjan selected at random. The assay of serum markers of viral hepatitis B of the samples collected after 5 ml peripheral venous sampling was carried out in the viral serology and bacteriology unit of the Pasteur institute of Ivory Coast using the ELISA technique (Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbant-Assay). The ELISA technique is an enzyme immunoassay technique that can detect an antigen or an antibody by highlighting the antigen-antibody reaction. Results: Of the 282 students who participated in our study, 5.3% of students (n = 15) were infected with the hepatitis B virus. The majority of students (79.1%, n = 223) did not have no contact with the hepatitis B virus. Only 7.8% (n = 22) of the students were vaccinated against viral hepatitis B. Conclusion: The low immunization coverage and the high prevalence of seronegative students reflect the need for a vaccine catch-up policy for adolescents born before the introduction of vaccination against the viral hepatitis B virus in the Expanded Program on Immunization.