Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
COVID-19 Seroprevalence Test for IgG Antibody Levels Among Healthy Donors Across Different Pandemic Phases in Jeddah
Published on: June 24, 2025
HBsAg seroprevalence among Senegalese militaries
Abdoul A Ndiaye1, Ibrahima Socé Fall2, Gora Lo3
1Community Health Department, University Alioune Diop of Bambey, Bambey City, Senegal ; Army Health Service, Camp Dial Diop Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
Insights
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 10.8% in Senegalese military personnel. This finding highlights the need for targeted prevention programs to combat liver disease risks.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis poses a significant global health challenge, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) being a primary etiological agent.
- Hepatitis B and C infections are major contributors to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for a substantial proportion of cases worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) within the Senegalese military population.
- To inform the development of effective strategies for preventing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1195 Senegalese military personnel aged 25-60 years.
- HBsAg presence was assessed using chemiluminescence and analyzed against age, marital status, alcohol consumption, and glomerular filtration rate.
- Data analysis involved Epi-info6fr and R software, with Chi-square tests used for statistical comparisons at a 5% significance level.
Main Results:
- The overall HBsAg prevalence was 10.8%, with significant variations across age groups (P < 0.001).
- Prevalence was highest in the 35-44 age group (16.9%) and lowest in the 45-60 group (5.6%).
- HBsAg carriage was not significantly associated with marital status or alcohol consumption but was more common in individuals with a glomerular filtration rate >90 ml/min.
Conclusions:
- The high HBsAg prevalence in the Senegalese military necessitates the urgent implementation of comprehensive prevention and care programs.
- These programs are crucial for mitigating the risk of HBV-related liver diseases, including cirrhosis and HCC.
- Addressing HBsAg is vital for reducing the overall burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases within the military population.
Background:
Chronic hepatitis is a major public health problem. Hepatitis B virus is the primary cause, and Hepatitis B and C together are responsible for 60% of cirrhosis and 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas. This study measured the prevalence of HBsAg among Senegalese military to develop an appropriate strategy to prevent cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods:
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among Senegalese military aged 25 to 60 years. A sample of 1224 participants was selected following a two-level-stratification. The mark of surface HBs antigen using chemiluminescence concerned 1195 participants. The presence of HBsAg was analyzed according to age, marital status, alcohol consumption and glomerular filtration rate. Epi-info6fr and R software were used, respectively, for data capture and analyses. A Chi-square test was performed to compare proportions considering a significance level of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%.
Results:
The average age was 39.8 ± 9.2 years. Participants in the age groups of 25-34 years, 45-60 years and 35-44 years were respectively 30.7%, 34.4% and 34.9% of the sample. Married persons represented 82.6% of participants and 17.08% were single. Most participants were educated (99%), and 56% had reached at least secondary school level. Alcohol consumption was at 11.5%. The HBsAg prevalence rate was 10.8% [9.1% to 12.7%] with a significant difference between age groups (P < 0.001), which ranged from 5.6% for 45-60 years, 9.62% for 25-34 years to 16.9% for 35-44 years. Marital status and alcohol consumption did not affect the carriage of HBsAg. HBsAg prevalence was more common among participants who had a glomerular filtration rate greater than 90 ml/min. Transaminases rate exceeded the normal threshold for 43 participants (3.6%); the increase was 6.6% [2.7% to 11.8%] for HBsAg carriers and 3.2% [1.2% to 6.7%] for alcohol users.
Conclusions:
The high prevalence of HBsAg in the military requires the implementation of an effective prevention and care program to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and contribute to reducing the burden of communicable diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, and non-communicable diseases.
