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HBV, HCV and HIV among patients with Hemophilia in Khartoum- Sudan


MO Gadour
BET Mohammed

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B, C and HIV infections and their impact forms one of the major health problems worldwide and in Sudan. Studies of hepatitis B, C and HIV virus among hemophiliacs in Sudan are lacking.
Objectives: The main objective is to determine the screening, vaccination, seroconversion of hepatitis B, C and HIV among Sudanese hemophilic patients registered in Hemophilia Center Khartoum Teaching Hospital.
Methods: During the period from July to November 2008, sixty two hemophilic male patients were randomly selected from hemophilic patients attending Hemophilic Center and were studied using simple direct standardized interview questionnaire and a blood sample from each patient was taken after consent for screening for hepatitis B, C and HIV.
Results: Out of the 62 patients, 39 (62.9%) were found to be screened before this study. Out of these 23(58.97%) were fully vaccinated for HB V, 23.08 % were partially vaccinated and seven had no vaccination at all.
Only one patient had seroconverted to HBsAg positive. HCV was detected in eight patient one of them was also found to have HIV infection.
Conclusion: The low figures of HBs Ag positivity we got in this study is probably an under estimation of the actual prevalence of HBV as we did not use other serological marker and modern technology for detection of exposure to HBV. To determine the real magnitude of the problem we
have to applying other markers like HBc Antibody in the screening procedures which are simple and cost effective. The coverage of our hemophilic patients with HBV vaccine was 52% so a significant number of our patients are at risk of contracting HBV. Unlike HIV, HCV was detected
in an alarming percentage. Health education is a cornerstone in prevention of these serious viral infections.

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eISSN: 1858-5051