Characteristics associated with Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity among participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (n = 1340).

Characteristics associated with Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity among participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (n = 1340).</p

S1 Dataset -

IntroductionHepatitis B (HBV) prevalence remains high in Sub Saharan Africa and among some key populations such as those with continued exposure through sexual contact. We assessed the HBV status among potential participants who were screened for simulated HIV vaccine efficacy trials in Kenya and Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional analysis of data collected from individuals who were screened in Kenya (Nairobi) and Uganda (Entebbe and Kampala). The studies followed hypothetical procedures of an HIV vaccine efficacy trial and aimed to enroll HIV negative key and vulnerable populations at elevated risk of HIV acquisition. HBV status was the main outcome categorized using Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and total Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). Baseline characteristics potentially associated with never being infected were analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsWe screened 1,366 participants with mean age (SD) 28.7 (7.3) years. Overall, 46.6% were from Entebbe, 50.7% had secondary or higher level of education, 76.4% had informal high-risk jobs and 56.3% were male. Kampala had only female participants contributing 60.6% of females screened. Of the screened participants, 94.7% and 3.4% were negative and positive for HBsAg respectively. The prevalence on HBV infection was 3.9% among males and 2.8% among females while prevalence by site was: Entebbe (4.9%); Kampala (4.1%) and Nairobi (0.3%). The highest HBV prevalence was found among participants aged 25-29-years (5.2%), those with primary level education (4.5%), and those in informal low risk jobs (6.5%). Considering 1265 participants with complete data on HBsAg and HBcAb-Total, HBV status was never infected (67.9%), past infection (28.5%), chronic infection (3.2%) and acute infection (0.5%). Of 859 who were never infected, 685 (79.7%) were tested for anti-HBs titers of whom 60 (8.8%) had titers >10IU/L (immune due to vaccination). The odds of never being HBV infected were lower among older individuals 25–29 years (AOR 0.51; 95%CI 0.36–0.71) and ≥30 years (AOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.25–0.49). The odds were higher among participants with informal high-risk jobs from Kampala (AOR 2.21; 95% CI 1.41–3.47) and Nairobi (AOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.72–4.00) compared to those from Entebbe.ConclusionHBV prevalence and immunity due to vaccination were low among HIV negative individuals who are eligible for HIV vaccine trials and prevalence varies by age, education level and main occupation. Younger individuals and those recruited from existing cohorts/ clinics have a higher likelihood of having no prior HBV infection. HIV prevention intervention trials are a platform to identify individuals that need HBV vaccination.</div

Hepatitis B status of participants screened for the SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda by baseline characteristics.

Hepatitis B status of participants screened for the SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda by baseline characteristics.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics by site of participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (2014–2017).

Socio-demographic characteristics by site of participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (2014–2017).</p

Assays used by participating research centers to screen for Hepatitis B.

Assays used by participating research centers to screen for Hepatitis B.</p

Characteristics associated with having no prior Hepatitis B infection among participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (n = 1265).

Characteristics associated with having no prior Hepatitis B infection among participants screened for SiVET studies in Kenya and Uganda (n = 1265).</p

Participant characteristics at enrollment.

<p>Participant characteristics at enrollment.</p

Number of participants providing specimens at each visit.

<p>*Two women missed baseline cervico-vaginal samples due to menstruation.</p><p>Number of participants providing specimens at each visit.</p

Baseline demographics and HIV risk behavior for the past 28 days by treatment assignment-schedule and study site.

*<p>P = 0.022.</p

Total number of participants undergoing mucosal collection by gender.

<p>A. Total number of female participants in the three trials combined and the number providing each type of specimen at the three time points. B. Total combined number of male participants and the number providing specimens at each time point.</p