Prevalence and Associated Factors of Viral Hepatitis C among Burundian Population during a Screening Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Study Carried out in Burundi

Abstract

Approximately 180 million people worldwide are affected by Viral hepatitis C, with 350,000 to 500,000 deaths yearly. The present study sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of viral hepatitis C (VHC) among the Burundian population during a screening campaign. A total of 629 participants took part in the study, and the prevalence of viral hepatitis C was (8.11%). The associated factors identified as statistically associated were medical and surgical history (P = 0.02) and ear and nose piercing (P = 0.01). 51% of the infected persons were females. The mean age for viral hepatitis C carriage was 46.13 ± 14.3 years and 10.40% of viral hepatitis C carriers were over 50 years old. We found a high viral hepatitis C prevalence in married (9.55%) and divorced (9.38%) participants. The majority of our participants were farmers (60.25%) with a prevalence of viral hepatitis C (7.92%) while 11.54% of the infected participants were not educated. In conclusion, the current study shows a high prevalence of Viral Hepatitis C infection in Burundi. Infection was more likely to occur in older, married, farmer, and illiterates. Unsafe medical and surgical interventions with traditional practitioners were significant risk factors for contracting VHC infection.

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Tharcisse, N. , Armstrong, N. , Emmanuel, H. , Theogene, I. , Emile, N. , Pascal, B. and Deo, H. (2023) Prevalence and Associated Factors of Viral Hepatitis C among Burundian Population during a Screening Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Study Carried out in Burundi. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 11, 33-44. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2023.1111004.

Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics.

Table 2. Characteristics of participants stratified by viral hepatitis C status.

Table 3. Univariate and multivariate analysis.

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  2. 2. Lavanchy, D. (2011) Evolving Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 17, 107-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2010.03432.x

  3. 3. World Health Organization (2016) Monitoring and Evaluation for Viral Hepatitis B and C: Recommended Indicators and Framework. World Health Organization, Geneva. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/204790

  4. 4. Makuza, J.D., et al. (2019) Risk Factors for Viral Hepatitis C Infection in Rwanda: Results from a Nationwide Screening Program. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19, Article No. 688. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4322-7

  5. 5. Bartenschlager, R., et al. (2018) Critical Challenges and Emerging Opportunities in Hepatitis C Virus Research in an Era of Potent Antiviral Therapy: Considerations for Scientists and Funding Agencies. Virus Research, 248, 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.016

  6. 6. Hermine, O., et al. (2002) Regression of Splenic Lymphoma with Villous Lymphocytes after Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. The New England Journal of Medicine, 347, 89-94. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa013376

  7. 7. Eichhorst, B., et al. (2021) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-Up. Annals of Oncology, 32, 23-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.019

  8. 8. Richard, N. and Arnaud, F. (2016) Epidémiologie des hépatites virales B, C, et delta au Cameroun: Analyse des échantillons de l’enquête Démographique de Santé 2011. Projet ANRS, 12289.

  9. 9. Shepard, C.W., Finelli, L. and Alter, M.J. (2005) Global Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 5, 558-567. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70216-4

  10. 10. World Health Organization (WHO) (2016) Global Health Estimates 2015: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2015. Geneva.

  11. 11. Zeba, T.A.M. (2012) Co-infection des virus des hépatites B et C au Burkina Faso: Prévalence, marqueurs viraux et caractérisation moléculaire.

  12. 12. Hahné, S.J., Veldhuijzen, I.K., Wiessing, L., Lim, T.A., Salminen, M. and van de Laar, M. (2013) Infection with Hepatitis B and C Virus in Europe: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Cost-Effectiveness of Screening. BMC Infectious Diseases, 13, Article No. 181. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-13-181

  13. 13. Gower, E., Estes, C., Blach, S., Razavi-Shearer, K. and Razavi, H. (2014) Global Epidemiology and Genotype Distribution of the Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Journal of Hepatology, 61, S45-S57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2014.07.027

  14. 14. Kilonzo, S.B., et al. (2021) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Anti-HCV Anti-bodies and HIV and Knowledge among People Who Use Drugs Attending Methadone Therapy Clinic in Tanzania; A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21, Article No. 699. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06393-0

  15. 15. Lingala, S. and Ghany, M.G. (2015) Natural History of Hepatitis C. Gastroenterology Clinics, 44, 717-734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2015.07.003

  16. 16. Padovese, V., et al. (2014) Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C among Asylum Seekers in Malta. Journal of Public Health, 36, 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdt036

  17. 17. Umutesi, J., et al. (2017) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infection in Persons Living with HIV Enrolled in Care in Rwanda. BMC Infectious Diseases, 17, Article No. 315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2422-9

  18. 18. Burundi PLAN STRATEGIE HEPATITES VIRALES (French). https://www.globalhep.org/sites/default/files/content/action_plan_article/files/2020-04/Burundi%20PLAN%20STRATEGIE%20HEPATITES%20VIRALES%20%28French%29.pdf

  19. 19. Nahimana, T. (2019) Contribution to the Study of the Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and C in Burundi: Case of the Regional Center for Blood Transfusion of Ngozi. Ph.D. Thesis, Universite de la Renaissance d’Haiti, Portau-Prince.

  20. 20. Saaed, F.M.A. and Ongerth, J.E. (2023) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa before Onward Dispersal toward Europe. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 25, 882-888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01448-z

  21. 21. Sonderup, M.W., et al. (2017) Hepatitis C in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Current Status and Recommendations for Achieving Elimination by 2030. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2, 910-919. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30249-2

  22. 22. (2022) Estimations de l’hépatite C au Canada, 2019. RMTC 48 (11/12). https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/rapports-publications/releve-maladies-transmissibles-canada-rmtc/numero-mensuel/2022-48/numero-11-12-novembre-decembre-2022/estimations-nationales-hepatite-c-canada-2019.html

  23. 23. Mapoure, N.Y., et al. (2018) Neurological Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Receiving Care in a Reference Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLOS ONE, 13, e0192406. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0192406

  24. 24. Tazinkeng, N.N., et al. (2022) Factors Associated with Hepatitis B and C among Adults in Buea, Cameroon: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Liver International, 42, 2396-2402. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.15390

  25. 25. Ameha, Z., Tadesse, S., Assefa, A. and Tessema, B. (2019) Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections among Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clients Attending Private Health Facilities in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia 2014. BMC Research Notes, 12, Article No. 693. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4727-9

  26. 26. Davarpanah, M.A., Khademolhosseini, F., Rajaeefard, A., Tavassoli, A., Yazdanfar, S.K. and Rezaianzadeh, A. (2013) Hepatitis C Virus Infection in HIV Positive Attendees of Shiraz Behavioral Diseases Consultation Center in Southern Iran. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 38, 86-91. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.112437

  27. 27. Umumararungu, E., Ntaganda, F., Kagira, J. and Maina, N. (2017) Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda. BioMed Research International, 2017, Article ID: 5841272. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5841272

  28. 28. Zacks, S., et al. (2006) Social Stigmatization and Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Journal of Clinical Gastro-enterology, 40, 220-224. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-200603000-00009

  29. 29. Eze, J.C., Ibeziako, N.S., Ikefuna, A.N., Nwokoye, I.C., Uleanya, N.D. and Ilechukwu, G.C. (2014) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection among Children in Enugu, Nigeria. African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 8, 5-8. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajid.v8i1.2

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

References

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[3] World Health Organization (2016) Monitoring and Evaluation for Viral Hepatitis B and C: Recommended Indicators and Framework. World Health Organization, Geneva.
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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4322-7
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.019
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https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70216-4
[10] World Health Organization (WHO) (2016) Global Health Estimates 2015: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2015. Geneva.
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https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-13-181
[13] Gower, E., Estes, C., Blach, S., Razavi-Shearer, K. and Razavi, H. (2014) Global Epidemiology and Genotype Distribution of the Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Journal of Hepatology, 61, S45-S57.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2014.07.027
[14] Kilonzo, S.B., et al. (2021) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Anti-HCV Anti-bodies and HIV and Knowledge among People Who Use Drugs Attending Methadone Therapy Clinic in Tanzania; A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21, Article No. 699.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06393-0
[15] Lingala, S. and Ghany, M.G. (2015) Natural History of Hepatitis C. Gastroenterology Clinics, 44, 717-734.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2015.07.003
[16] Padovese, V., et al. (2014) Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C among Asylum Seekers in Malta. Journal of Public Health, 36, 22-27.
https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdt036
[17] Umutesi, J., et al. (2017) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infection in Persons Living with HIV Enrolled in Care in Rwanda. BMC Infectious Diseases, 17, Article No. 315.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2422-9
[18] Burundi PLAN STRATEGIE HEPATITES VIRALES (French).
https://www.globalhep.org/sites/default/files/content/action_plan_article/files/2020-04/Burundi%20PLAN%20STRATEGIE%20HEPATITES%20VIRALES%20%28French%29.pdf
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[20] Saaed, F.M.A. and Ongerth, J.E. (2023) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa before Onward Dispersal toward Europe. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 25, 882-888.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01448-z
[21] Sonderup, M.W., et al. (2017) Hepatitis C in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Current Status and Recommendations for Achieving Elimination by 2030. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2, 910-919.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30249-2
[22] (2022) Estimations de l’hépatite C au Canada, 2019. RMTC 48 (11/12).
https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/rapports-publications/releve-maladies-transmissibles-canada-rmtc/numero-mensuel/2022-48/numero-11-12-novembre-decembre-2022/estimations-nationales-hepatite-c-canada-2019.html
[23] Mapoure, N.Y., et al. (2018) Neurological Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Receiving Care in a Reference Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLOS ONE, 13, e0192406.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0192406
[24] Tazinkeng, N.N., et al. (2022) Factors Associated with Hepatitis B and C among Adults in Buea, Cameroon: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Liver International, 42, 2396-2402.
https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.15390
[25] Ameha, Z., Tadesse, S., Assefa, A. and Tessema, B. (2019) Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections among Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clients Attending Private Health Facilities in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia 2014. BMC Research Notes, 12, Article No. 693.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4727-9
[26] Davarpanah, M.A., Khademolhosseini, F., Rajaeefard, A., Tavassoli, A., Yazdanfar, S.K. and Rezaianzadeh, A. (2013) Hepatitis C Virus Infection in HIV Positive Attendees of Shiraz Behavioral Diseases Consultation Center in Southern Iran. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 38, 86-91.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.112437
[27] Umumararungu, E., Ntaganda, F., Kagira, J. and Maina, N. (2017) Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda. BioMed Research International, 2017, Article ID: 5841272.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5841272
[28] Zacks, S., et al. (2006) Social Stigmatization and Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Journal of Clinical Gastro-enterology, 40, 220-224.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-200603000-00009
[29] Eze, J.C., Ibeziako, N.S., Ikefuna, A.N., Nwokoye, I.C., Uleanya, N.D. and Ilechukwu, G.C. (2014) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection among Children in Enugu, Nigeria. African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 8, 5-8.
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajid.v8i1.2

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