The Risk for Hepatitis A, B, and C at Two Institutions for Children in Somalia with Different Socioeconomic Conditions

TL;DRAbstract

The prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis A, B, and C was investigated in children from two residential institutions in Somalia. Among 596 individuals at one residence (Shebeli), the prevalences were 96% for antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), 75% for total hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, 16% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and 1.5% for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Corresponding figures for the 76 individuals at a smaller residence (Societe Organisation Sociale, SOS) were 59%, 20%, 3.9%, and 0%, respectively. At Shebeli, the HBsAg carrier rates in the 1-10-year-old age group was 28% for boys and 16% for girls. These rates were significantly higher than in the older children (16% and 7.4% for boys and girls, respectively). Fifty-eight percent of the HBsAg carriers were positive for hepatitis B e antigen. Total HBV markers were significantly more frequent in girls from Shebeli, when their duration of residence was longer than five years (89% versus 63

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper