Comparative Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among in-Mates and Low Risk Voluntary Blood Donors in Garissa, Kenya

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a potentially life-threatening infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. This creates a high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B infection poses a major health concern globally. It is estimated that 257 million people are infected globally with 780,000 deaths reported annually. In Kenya, HBV prevalence stands at chronic states of intermediate range (5% - 7%) and high (≥8%) with regional variations. Garissa County carries a high HBV infection risk with a reported prevalence of 14.1% in pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics. This study was carried out to determine and compare the seroprevalence of HBV among in-mates and voluntary blood donors at Garissa Main Prison and Garissa County referral hospital respectively in Garissa, Kenya. A total of 130 in-mates and 130 voluntary blood donors were sampled in this study. Serum was tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using a rapid test cassette (Amitech Diagnostics Inc.). A questionnaire was also used to collect socio-demographic factors of the study participants. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Majority of the study participants were males (86.9% among inmates and 95.4% among blood donors). Majority (76.2%) of the in-mates and of the donors (83.1%) were aged between 20 - 40 years while majority (51.4% of the donors and 81.5% of in mates) had only a primary school level of education. HBV seroprevalence was significantly higher among in mates compared to blood donors. Out of the total number of in-mates tested, 7 (5.4%) were HBV seropositive. Conversely, among blood donors 4 (3.1%) were seropositive. There was a significant association between HBV seropositivity and gender among both the blood donors and in-mates. There was no significant association between HBV seropositivity and both level of education and age. No data currently exists on HBV seroprevalence in Kenyan prisons and these study findings may be used as a proxy for other prisons within the country. Further studies to determine other predisposing risk factors should be conducted. Additionally, molecular studies to determine circulating HBV genotypes in this group of people and region are required.

Risk Assessment and Refined Management of Blood Collection and Supply during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Since the end of 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to spread worldwide and has become a major global public health threat. SARS-CoV-2 has the characteristics of a long incubation period and asymptomatic infection, which are undoubtedly major challenges to blood transfusion safety. Although no research has suggested that there is a risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through blood transfusion, the safe use of clinical blood during the epidemic is a serious problem faced by blood collection and supply institutions. Herein, we elaborate on the management of blood collection and supply during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from aspects such as blood inventory management, clinical blood use, and reducing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via blood transfusion. Blood service departments should adopt flexible policies to ensure that blood collection networks can meet clinical needs, while at the same time protecting staff and blood donors, maintaining blood safety, and reducing blood risks during the epidemic.