RESUMO
Background: The global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis aims to reduce new hepatitis B infections by 90% by 2030. Yet, hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination, which is effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the essential role that midwives play in infants' birth dose immunisation, we explore their perspectives on the reasons for delays and non-administration of HepB-BD to eligible neonates in Ghana. Methods: We conducted interviews with 18 midwives, stratified by region (Greater Accra and Northern regions). Participants were selected purposively. The data were transcribed, coded, and analysed following the Braun and Clarke data analysis procedure. Results: The participants conveyed a broad range of barriers to HepB-BD vaccination in Ghana. These include the mother's denial of hepatitis B seropositivity; the mother's ignorance of the impact of hepatitis B on their newborn; partners' non-involvement in post-test counselling; and the high cost of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B monovalent vaccine. Other reasons included vaccine unavailability and midwives' oversight and documentation lapses. Conclusion: We recommend educating expectant mothers on the importance and effectiveness of HepB-BD vaccination during antenatal care (ANC) visits, as well as educating midwives on HepB-BD vaccination procedures. In addition, ensuring sufficient supplies and administering hepatitis B vaccines in the delivery ward should be done to guarantee that babies receive the vaccines on time. Importantly, Ghana needs policies that require HepB-BD vaccination as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to ensure the investments and funding it needs.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data are needed to inform hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing and treatment policies in Ghana to make progress towards achieving the 2030 WHO elimination targets. This study investigated testing patterns for HBV and described the age, sex, and region-specific prevalence of HBV infection in Ghana using hospital data. METHODS: A nationwide multi-centre cross-sectional study was performed where hospital-based registers were reviewed. These included review of 139,966 laboratory, 169,048 blood bank, and 83,920 delivery register entries from 22 healthcare institutions in Ghana. Frequencies and proportions, and crude and pooled estimates reported. Chi squared test was used for tests of independence. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with a positive test result. RESULTS: The crude HBsAg seroprevalence was 8.48% (95%CI 8.25-8.57%) with pooled estimate of 11.40% (95%CI 10.44-12.35). HBsAg seroprevalence among children under 5 years was 1.87% (95%CI 1.07-3.27) and highest age-specific seroprevalence was in those 40-49 years. The highest region-specific seroprevalences was in the Savannah (22.7%). Predictors of a positive HBsAg RDT test included female sex (OR 0.81 95% CI 0.74-0.88), and age (OR 1.005 95%CI 1.002-1.007). The proportion of parturient women receiving HBsAg testing increased between 2017 (87.2%) and 2020 (94.3%) (p < 0.001). The crude HBsAg seroprevalence in parturient women was 6.14% (95% CI 5.97-6.31). Among blood donors the crude HBsAg seroprevalence was 5.69% (95%CI 5.58-5.80). Data from 2 teaching hospitals indicated that in 2020, although 1500 HBsAg positive tests were recorded only 746 serological profile and 804 HBV DNA tests were performed. HBV e antigen seroprevalence was 6.28% (95%CI 4.73-7.84). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Ghana remains a country with high HBV burden. There is an unequal distribution, with higher HBsAg seroprevalence in the north of the country. Furthermore, PCR testing is not widely available outside of large teaching hospitals, which limits diagnostic work-up. Hepatitis reporting systems and registers should be improved to facilitate data capture of indicators and standardised across the country to allow for comparability. Furthermore, where gains have been made in testing among pregnant women, there is a need for linkage to appropriate care.
