학술논문
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection and linkage to care among patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in three rural Rwandan districts: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Document Type
article
Author
Tumusime Musafiri; Innocent Kamali; Casmille Kayihura; Jean de la Paix Gakuru; Francoise Nyirahabihirwe; Esdras Nizeyimana; Pilar Kandamage; Placide Habinshuti; Raymond Sekagarura; Jean Damascene Makuza; Nadine Karema; Janvier Serumondo; Theoneste Ntakirutimana; Jean d’Amour Ndahimana; Dale A. Barnhart
Source
BMC Infectious Diseases, Vol 24, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2024)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1471-2334
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Rwanda’s Hepatitis C elimination campaign has relied on mass screening campaigns. An alternative “micro-elimination” strategy focused on specific populations, such as non-communicable disease (NCD) patients, could be a more efficient approach to identifying patients and linking them to care. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study used routine data collected during a targeted screening campaign among NCD patients in Kirehe, Kayonza, and Burera districts of Rwanda and patients receiving oncology services from the Butaro District Hospital. The campaign used rapid diagnostic tests to screen for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). We reported prevalences and 95% confidence intervals for HBsAg and anti-HCV, assessed for associations between patients’ clinical programs and hepatitis B and C, and reported cascade of care for the two diseases. Results Out of 7,603 NCD patients, 3398 (45.9%) self-reported a prior hepatitis screening. Prevalence of HBsAg was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.7%-2.3%) and anti-HCV was 6.7% (95% CI: 6.2%-7.3%). The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher among patients