Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Carriage among Volunteer Blood Donors in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Introduction: Blood safety is a serious public health concern for health authorities in sub-Saharan African countries. Blood transfusion is a major mode of transmission of viral hepatitis B. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of carriage of HBs antigen among volunteer blood donors (VBD) in Kisangani.

Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in Provincial Blood Transfusion Center in Kisangani from 1st January to 31st December 2015, involving 2,298 volunteer blood donors. Data were collected anonymously from blood donor records and registers taking into account the following variables: age, sex, occupation, educational level, donor status, and residential setting. The HBs antigen was demonstrated by the Alere Determine test. Other markers of viral hepatitis B have not been sought among VBD because they are not available in National Blood Transfusion Program of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Results: The prevalence of HBs antigen was 6.5% among volunteer blood donors in Kisangani. It was higher in subjects who 20 to 29 years old, males, without a profession, low education, new donors, predominantly living in the Mangobo and Kabondo communes. This high prevalence was significantly associated with sex, profession, level education and status donor.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBs antigen was relatively low in VBD in Kisangani (6.5%). But this rate remains high in this group of donors yet renowned less risky. To reduce this risk of transfusion and further secure blood recipients, policymakers should strengthen the education of the population and the technical capacities of the Provincial Blood Transfusion Center for hepatitis B screening. Immunisation against hepatitis B should be systematic across the country, targeting, in particular, the young people who constitute the majority of VBD in our country.