Geta Mekuanint, Hailu Asrat, Woldeamanuel Yimtubezinash
Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis ababa, Ethiopia.
Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Ethiopia.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 28;15(1):31704. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-02906-y.
Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, the global prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in children was estimated to range from 1.3 to 3.4%. In Ethiopia, the estimated seroprevalence of CHB in children under five years old was 2.21%. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of breakthrough hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its associated factors in northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in northwest Ethiopia from December 2023 to June 2024. Children aged 1-14 years who visited pediatric clinics for various medical reasons were enrolled. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of breakthrough HBV infection, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Among 325 vaccinated children under 15 years of age, the prevalence of breakthrough HBV infection was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.9-4.3%). The age of the children and a history of contact with individuals with CHB were significantly associated with breakthrough infection. Children aged 5-9 years were 10.7 times (OR = 10.7; 95% CI: 1.1-99.6), and those aged 10-14 years were 20.7 times more likely to be infected with HBV (OR = 20.7; 95% CI: 2.0-215.8), compared to children aged 1-4 years. Additionally, children with a history of contact with CHB individuals were six times more likely to be infected with HBV (OR = 6.1; 95% CI: 1.4-27.6). This study found an intermediate prevalence of HBV infection among vaccinated children, which raises significant public health concerns. Age and contact with individuals with CHB were found to be significant factors associated with breakthrough HBV infection. These findings highlight the need for regular evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination programs and the implementation of targeted preventive strategies to reduce transmission.
尽管有有效的疫苗，但据估计，儿童慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）的全球患病率在1.3%至3.4%之间。在埃塞俄比亚，估计五岁以下儿童CHB的血清阳性率为2.21%。本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚西北部突破性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的患病率及其相关因素。2023年12月至2024年6月在埃塞俄比亚西北部进行了一项横断面研究。纳入了因各种医疗原因前往儿科诊所就诊的1至14岁儿童。使用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）检测乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）。使用SPSS 23.0版分析数据。采用卡方检验和逻辑回归分析来确定突破性HBV感染的预测因素，设定统计学显著性为p < 0.05。在325名15岁以下接种疫苗的儿童中，突破性HBV感染的患病率为2.5%（95%CI：0.9 - 4.3%）。儿童年龄和与CHB患者接触史与突破性感染显著相关。与1至4岁的儿童相比，5至9岁的儿童感染HBV的可能性高10.7倍（OR = 10.7；95%CI：1.1 - 99.6），10至14岁的儿童感染可能性高20.7倍（OR = 20.7；95%CI：2.0 - 215.8）。此外，有与CHB患者接触史的儿童感染HBV的可能性高6倍（OR = 6.1；95%CI：1.4 - 27.6）。本研究发现接种疫苗儿童中HBV感染患病率处于中等水平，这引发了重大的公共卫生问题。年龄和与CHB患者接触被发现是与突破性HBV感染相关的重要因素。这些发现凸显了定期评估疫苗接种计划有效性以及实施针对性预防策略以减少传播的必要性。
