Open AccessAnalyses of blood donor samples from eight provinces in Lao PDR suggest considerable variation concerning HBV exposure and carriage
Author(s) -
Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong,
Lisa Hefele,
Jerapha Keokhamphue,
Vonhphet Sorrasin,
Vilaysone Khounvisith,
Chanthala Souksakhone,
Prapan Jutavijittum,
Claude P. Muller,
Antony P. Black,
Judith M. Hübschen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0259814
Subject(s) - hbsag , medicine , hepatitis b , carriage , epidemiology , hepatitis b virus , population , hepatitis , immunology , demography , environmental health , virus , pathology , sociology
Hepatitis B is endemic in Lao PDR and about 9% of the adult population is chronically infected. In this study, we investigated regional, occupational, age and sex-related differences in hepatitis B epidemiology in Lao blood donors. Methods 5017 voluntary blood donors from 8 different provinces were tested for hepatitis B markers by ELISA. Predictors for the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against the core antigen (anti-HBc) were assessed by bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results In total, 41% of the participants were positive for anti-HBc; the HBsAg prevalence was estimated at 6.9% among all participants (9.2% among first-time donors and 3.9% among repeat donors). Among first-time donors, HBsAg positivity was associated independently with being male (p<0.001), being from the North (p<0.001) and being soldier (p<0.001). Participants were more likely to be anti-HBc positive when they were male (p<0.001), from the Northern provinces (p<0.001) and older than 20 years (p<0.01). Conclusion In conclusion, our study confirmed an overall high HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence in Lao PDR, albeit with considerable regional variation. The identification of a sizeable number of HBsAg positives among repeat donors warrants a thorough investigation of current blood screening, record keeping, donor identification and counselling practises.