Author(s)

Barikissou Georgia Damien^1*, Badirou Aguemon², Cyriaque Degbey^3,4, Styline Agbazahou², Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou², Marius Edgard Ouendo³

¹Population and Health Research Unit, Center for Training and Research for Population, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
²Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
³Regional Institute of Public Health, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
⁴University Hospital Hygiene Clinic of National University Hospital Center Hubert Koutoukou MAGA, Cotonou, Benin.

Background: Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B infection in adolescents and youth attending secondary school in Covè, urban area in Benin. Methods: From 4^th to 10^th February 2018, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years old. Subjects were randomly selected. Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia (HBsAg) was assayed in blood using rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Two hundred adolescents and youth were recruited. The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was 18.50%. According to the multivariate logistic regression model, being infected by hepatitis B was 4.32 times higher in the age group of 15 - 19 years old than in 20 - 24 years age group (PR = 4.32 95% CI [1.51 - 12.34], p = 0.0063). Similarly, students who had not been aware of hepatitis B were more infected than those who were sensitized (PR = 14.60 [95% CI 4.98 - 4.27], p = 0.0001). With regard to lifestyle, individuals with tattoos or piercings were 8.60 times more likely to have been infected by HBV than those without tattoos or piercings, (PR = 8.60; 95% CI [3.41 - 21.70], p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B among adolescents and youth attending secondary school was high. Regular screening of HVB infection status should be included in school health services in Benin. Awareness campaigns and health education on HVB transmission and prevention should be promoted and strengthened.

Hepatitis B Virus, Adolescents and Youth, Benin

Damien, B. , Aguemon, B. , Degbey, C. , Agbazahou, S. , Padonou, S. and Ouendo, M. (2021) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Risk Factors among Adolescents and Youth in Secondary School in 2018, Commune of Covè, Benin. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 11, 326-347. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2021.113028.