TY  - BOOK
AU  -   Godwin, Sanga. Gerald
AU  - Mirambo, Mariam
AU  -  Ambrose, Emmanuela 
TI  - Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen and Associated Factors Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease Attending Clinic at Bugando Medical Centre
PY  - 2019///
CY  - Mwanza, Tanzania: 
PB  -  Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando], Phone: +255 28 298 3384,     Fax: +255 28 298 3386,     Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz,   Website: www.bugando.ac.tz :  
KW  -  
N2  - Abstract: 

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is of public health importance worldwide affecting different populations. On the other side, sickle cell disease (SCD) is known hereditary hematological disorder with about 250,000 children born with sickle cell anemia worldwide. It is among the most important epidemiological genetic diseases in the Lake Victoria zone, Tanzania. Due to the frequent blood transfusions, these children are at risk of acquiring blood borne infections including HBV. Despite being common in Lake Victoria zone; there is scarcity of information on the prevalence of HBV among SCD children in this area.

Objective: This study intended to determine the prevalence and factors associated HBsAg among children with sickle cell disease at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: This is analytical cross sectional hospital based study involved 150 sickle cell children; was conducted among patients attending BMC from June to August 2019. About 3-4 ml of blood was collected aseptically and plasma was analyzed by using HBsAg test strip and data was analyzed by using STATA version 13 as per study objectives.

Results: The mean age of enrolled children was 99.3 ± 46.9 months. Out of 150 children with sickle cell disease tested for HBV, none of them was found to be HBsAg positive.

Conclusion: HBV is not common among the children with SCD in Mwanza, Tanzania. The present study indicates that the current control measures including safe blood transfusion in place are well implemented and should be emphasized across the country and other low income countries where HBV is endemic.

ER  -