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Impact of COVID-19 on Hepatitis B Screening in Sierra Leone: Insights from a Community Pharmacy Model of Care (preprint)
medrxiv; 2023.
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv | ID: ppzbmed-10.1101.2023.05.24.23290418
ABSTRACT
Background:
There are limited studies evaluating the impact of COVID-19-related interruptions on hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening in endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of HBV testing in a community pharmacy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2022. We compared participant characteristics using Pearson's chi-square test. We evaluated trends in HBV screening and diagnosis using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's or Dunnett's post-test.Results:
Of 920 individuals screened, 161 had detectable HBsAg (seroprevalence 17.5% [95% CI 14.9-20.4]). There was a 100% decrease in HBV screening during January-June of 2020; however, screening increased by 27% and 23% in the first and second year after COVID-19, respectively. Mean quarterly tests showed a significant upward trend 55 - 6 tests during January-March (baseline), 74 - 16 tests during April-June, 101 - 3 tests during July-September, and 107 - 17 tests during October-December (one-way ANOVA test for trend, F = 7.7, p = 0.0254) but not the mean quarterly number of people diagnosed with HBV (F = 0.34, p = 0.7992).Conclusion:
Community-based HBV screening dramatically improved following temporary disruptions related to COVID-19. Seasonal variation in HBV screening, but not HBV diagnosis, may have implications for HBV elimination efforts in Sierra Leone and other West African countries.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Hepatitis B
Language:
English
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Preprint
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