Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Persons Infected with the Hepatitis B Virus on Their Own Disease

Introduction: Viral hepatitis B is a communicable disease that is preventable by vaccination. Knowledge of transmission routes and prevention methods could play a key role in limiting and reducing the spread of the disease. Aim: This was a prospective study that was carried out from July 1 to September 30, 2018 in the department of gastroenterology and internal medicine in people carrying the hepatitis B virus. All patients were asked about their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding viral hepatitis B. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, collecting prospective data, which was carried out from July 1 to September 30, 2018 in the gastroenterology department of CHUB (University Hospital of Brazzaville). Eligible for the study were all patients who consulted or were followed in the ward for HBV infection during the study period. All patients were asked about their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding viral hepatitis B. After obtaining informed consent, we asked patients about knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the hepatitis B virus. The data was collected on a pre-established survey sheet respecting anonymity and confidentiality. CSPro 7 software and SPSS 17 software were used for data entry and analysis. Chi-square was used to compare the percentages. These were expressed with their 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]. A value of p 0.005 was considered significant. Results: Forty-two patients were included in the study, these were 66.7% (n = 28) men and 33.3% (n = 14) women. The average age was 38.76 ± 10.9 years. 45.2% of them (n = 19) were single and 59.5% (n = 25) had the next highest level of education. Thirty-nine patients had no knowledge of the source of their contamination;the sexual route was the most cited (61.9%). Alcohol consumption was rated badly by 38 patients (90.5%);of these 22 (52.4%) thought it worsened the disease. Lack of knowledge of an HBV carrier in the family was noted in 33 (78.6%) patients;20 (47.6%) patients did not talk about their illness in their entourage or family because of the risk of stigma. Only 19% (n = 8) of patients will have their children vaccinated. The existence of a vaccine was known by 31 patients;the condom was the means of prevention cited by 21 patients. Those who were aware of the existence of a treatment were 33. Sexual abstinence was observed by seven patients. The doctor was the source of information for 22 patients. High level of education and male gender were associated with a good knowledge of prevention and treatment. Conclusion: The knowledge of patients carrying the hepatitis B virus is incomplete. Their attitudes and practices do not reduce the spread of the disease. Strengthening public awareness of viral hepatitis is necessary.

Viral Hepatitis B: Seroprevalence and Genetic Diversity in Blood Donors North of Congo

Introduction: Viral hepatitis B is the most formidable and confusing of all viral hepatitis, given its cirrhogenic and carcinogenic potential. The objective of the study is to characterize the molecular profile of hepatitis virus B in northern Congo. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study that was carried out between January and September 2014, that is 9 months, in the establishments of the National Center for Blood Transfusion (CNTS) of the 4 departments of the north of the Congo. Epidemiological, serological and molecular variables (HBsAg, HBV DNA, genotypes and subtypes) were studied. The HBs antigen was searched by rapid test and confirmed by ELISA. For all positive donors, conventional and specific gene extraction and amplification techniques were performed for the identification of genotypes and subtypes from the serum. Results: A total of 892 donors were included. The average age was 35.36 ± 12.36 years with extremes ranging from 18 to 65 years old. The sex ratio (M/F) was 3.3. The prevalence of HBV was 8.6%. The viral DNA of HBV was amplified in 83.1%. Four genotypes were found: E (40.6%), A (3.1%), B (3.1%) and C (1.6%). Two cases of co-infection were identified: E/A (15.6%) and B/C (1.6%). Subgenotypes A1, B2 and C1 were highlighted. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV is high, HBV infection remains a major public health problem for blood donors in Congo. Genotypes E, A, B, C as well as subtypes A1, B2, C1 have been identified in northern Congo.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Brazzaville: Comparative Study of Two Identification Tests

Objective: To determine the place of two identification tests for Helicobacter pylori infection available in Congo. Materials and Methods: This was a comparative study carried out in two digestive endoscopy centers in Brazzaville from 1 January to 31 May 2018. Symptomatic patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included systematically. The frequency of infection was determined from two identification tests, namely the rapid urease test in gastric biopsies and the detection of antigen (Ag) for the germ in the stool. The criterion for judging the presence of the germ in each patient was the positivity of at least one of the two tests. The McNEMAR X2 test (p < 0.05) was used for the comparison of averages. Results: During the study period, 137 consenting patients were included, including 62 men and 75 women. The overall incidence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection was 79.6% (109/28). Of the 137 patients, 18 were urease positive only;6 were looking for Hp Ag in the stool, and 85 were in the two tests. The frequency of infection was 75.2% (103/137) with the rapid urease test and 66.4% (91/137) with the Hp Ag test in stool. The rapid urease test proved more reliable in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection than the stool antigen test.