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Muwanda F, Sendagire H, Mboowa G, Kateete DP, Achan B, Mupere E, Kafeero HM, Bagaya BS. A systematic review reveals that African children of 15-17 years demonstrate low hepatitis B vaccine seroprotection rates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22182. [PMID: 38092870 PMCID: PMC10719251 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49674-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood HBV immunization remains globally fundamental to the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, monitoring proportions of HBV vaccine seroprotection and their determinants among African Pediatric recipients is crucial. This study sought to verify extent of immune protection accorded by the HBV vaccine in African children of up to 17 years of age by pooling the prevalence of seroprotection reported by primary studies conducted in the Northern, Western, and Southern African regions. We included 19 eligible articles out of the 197 initially downloaded, published from 1999 to 2021 from African Journals Online (AJOL), EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed. The study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, under the registration number CRD42022361277. Significantly higher (p < 0.0001) proportion of HBV vaccine seroprotection (69.07%) was found among children under 15 years of age than children 15-17 years (32.368%), 95% CI [34.2454-39.0847%]. Whereas successful integration of the HBV vaccine on the extended programs on immunizations (EPI) has been a major achievement in the reduction of HBV infection in Africa, markedly reduced HBV vaccine seroprotection is persistently demonstrated among adolescent children 15-17 years of age. Future studies are required to clarify the need for booster dose vaccination in most at risk populations and age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Muwanda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, P.O. Box 7689, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Hakim Sendagire
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gerald Mboowa
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Patrick Kateete
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Beatrice Achan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ezekiel Mupere
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hussein Mukasa Kafeero
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, P.O. Box 7689, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard Ssentalo Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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Spearman CW, Andersson MI, Bright B, Davwar PM, Desalegn H, Guingane AN, Johannessen A, Kabagambe K, Lemoine M, Matthews PC, Ndow G, Riches N, Shimakawa Y, Sombié R, Stockdale AJ, Taljaard JJ, Vinikoor MJ, Wandeler G, Okeke E, Sonderup M. A new approach to prevent, diagnose, and treat hepatitis B in Africa. BMC GLOBAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 1:24. [PMID: 38798823 PMCID: PMC11116268 DOI: 10.1186/s44263-023-00026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
There are 82 million people living with hepatitis B (PLWHB) in the World Health Organization Africa region, where it is the main cause of liver disease. Effective vaccines have been available for over 40 years, yet there are 990,000 new infections annually, due to limited implementation of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination and antenatal tenofovir prophylaxis for highly viraemic women, which could eliminate mother-to-child transmission. Despite effective and cheap antiviral treatment which can suppress hepatitis B virus replication and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), < 2% of PLWHB are diagnosed, and only 0.1% are treated. As a result, PLWHB are frequently diagnosed only when they have already developed decompensated cirrhosis and late-stage HCC, and consequently 80,000 hepatitis B-associated deaths occur each year. Major barriers include complex treatment guidelines which were derived from high-income settings, lack of affordable diagnostics, lack or insufficient domestic funding for hepatitis care, and limited healthcare infrastructure. Current treatment criteria may overlook patients at risk of cirrhosis and HCC. Therefore, expanded and simplified treatment criteria are needed. We advocate for decentralized community treatment programmes, adapted for low-resource and rural settings with limited laboratory infrastructure. We propose a strategy of treat-all except patients fulfilling criteria that suggest low risk of disease progression. Expanded treatment represents a financial challenge requiring concerted action from policy makers, industry, and international donor agencies. It is crucial to accelerate hepatitis B elimination plans, integrate hepatitis B care into existing healthcare programmes, and prioritize longitudinal and implementation research to improve care for PLWHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Monique I. Andersson
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Division of Medical Virology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Bisi Bright
- LiveWell Initiative, Yesuf Abiodun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
- Women in Hepatitis Africa, Womens Wellness Center for Hepatitis, Isale Ajoke, Iwaya-Makoko, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Pantong M. Davwar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jos Univeristy Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Hailemichael Desalegn
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alice Nanelin Guingane
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Bogodogo University Hospital Center, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Asgeir Johannessen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kenneth Kabagambe
- The National Organisation for People Living With Hepatitis B, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Philippa C. Matthews
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU UK
| | - Gibril Ndow
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Nicholas Riches
- Department of Clinical Sciences and International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Yusuke Shimakawa
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité d’Épidémiologie Des Maladies Émergentes, Paris, France
| | - Roger Sombié
- Service d’hépato-Gastroentérologie, CHU Yalgado OUÉDRAOGO, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Alexander J. Stockdale
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunity, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jantjie J. Taljaard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Vinikoor
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edith Okeke
- Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Mark Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - on behalf of the Hepatitis B in Africa Collaborative Network (HEPSANET)
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Division of Medical Virology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- LiveWell Initiative, Yesuf Abiodun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
- Women in Hepatitis Africa, Womens Wellness Center for Hepatitis, Isale Ajoke, Iwaya-Makoko, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jos Univeristy Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Bogodogo University Hospital Center, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- The National Organisation for People Living With Hepatitis B, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU UK
- Department of Clinical Sciences and International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité d’Épidémiologie Des Maladies Émergentes, Paris, France
- Service d’hépato-Gastroentérologie, CHU Yalgado OUÉDRAOGO, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunity, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
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Solomon-Rakiep T, Olivier J, Amponsah-Dacosta E. Weak Adoption and Performance of Hepatitis B Birth-Dose Vaccination Programs in Africa: Time to Consider Systems Complexity?-A Scoping Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:474. [PMID: 37888602 PMCID: PMC10611266 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8100474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistent burden of chronic hepatitis B among ≤5-year-old children in Africa suggests missed opportunities for controlling mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This scoping review maps the evidence base on the risk of HBV MTCT, the status of HBV MTCT mitigation strategies including hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, and the role of systems complexity on the suboptimal adoption and performance of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination programs in Africa. Overall, 88 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources published between 2000-2022 were included in this review. The growing evidence base consistently argues for a heightened risk of HBV MTCT amidst the HIV co-epidemic in the region. Without universal HBV screening programs integrated within broader antenatal care services, current selective hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination is unlikely to effectively interrupt HBV MTCT. We underscore critical health systems-related barriers to universal adoption and optimal performance of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination programs in the region. To better conceptualize the role of complexity and system-wide effects on the observed performance of the program, we propose an adapted systems-based logic model. Ultimately, exploring contextualized complex systems approaches to scaling-up universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination programs should form an integral part of the regional research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem Solomon-Rakiep
- Health Policy and Systems Division, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Jill Olivier
- Health Policy and Systems Division, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Edina Amponsah-Dacosta
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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Matthews PC, Ocama P, Wang S, El-Sayed M, Turkova A, Ford D, Torimiro J, Garcia Ferreira AC, Espinosa Miranda A, De La Hoz Restrepo FP, Seremba E, Mbu R, Pan CQ, Razavi H, Dusheiko G, Spearman CW, Hamid S. Enhancing interventions for prevention of mother-to-child- transmission of hepatitis B virus. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100777. [PMID: 37554925 PMCID: PMC10405098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a cornerstone of efforts to support progress towards elimination of viral hepatitis. Current guidelines recommend maternal screening, antiviral therapy during the third trimester of high-risk pregnancies, universal and timely HBV birth dose vaccination, and post-exposure prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin for selected neonates. However, serological and molecular diagnostic testing, treatment and HBV vaccination are not consistently deployed, particularly in many high endemicity settings, and models predict that global targets for reduction in paediatric incidence will not be met by 2030. In this article, we briefly summarise the evidence for current practice and use this as a basis to discuss areas in which prevention of mother-to-child transmission can potentially be enhanced. By reducing health inequities, enhancing pragmatic use of resources, filling data gaps, developing advocacy and education, and seeking consistent investment from multilateral agencies, significant advances can be made to further reduce vertical transmission events, with wide health, societal and economic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa C. Matthews
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Infection, University College London Hospitals, 235 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Ponsiano Ocama
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Su Wang
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Florham Park, NJ, USA
- Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Manal El-Sayed
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Anna Turkova
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, UK
| | - Deborah Ford
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, UK
| | - Judith Torimiro
- Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for Research on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Ana Cristina Garcia Ferreira
- Ministry of Health, Health Surveillance Department, Department of Chronic Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, SRTVN Quadra 701, Lote D, PO700 Building, CEP: 70719-040, Brasília/DF, Brazil
| | - Angélica Espinosa Miranda
- Ministry of Health, Health Surveillance Department, Department of Chronic Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, SRTVN Quadra 701, Lote D, PO700 Building, CEP: 70719-040, Brasília/DF, Brazil
| | | | - Emmanuel Seremba
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robinson Mbu
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Calvin Q. Pan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, 1120 W South Boulder Rd Suite 102, Lafayette, CO 80026, USA
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- Liver Unit, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - C. Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Saeed Hamid
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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5
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Nayagam S, de Villiers MJ, Shimakawa Y, Lemoine M, Thursz MR, Walsh N, Hallett TB. Impact and cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B virus prophylaxis in pregnancy: a dynamic simulation modelling study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:635-645. [PMID: 37150181 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00074-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2020, WHO recommended the addition of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis (PAP) to hepatitis B birth dose vaccination (HepB-BD) and hepatitis B infant vaccination (HepB3) to reduce mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women who have a marker of high infectivity (ie, HBV DNA ≥200 000 international units per mL or HBeAg-positive). We aimed to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of this recommendation and of a theoretical simplified strategy whereby PAP is given to all pregnant women who are HBsAg-positive without risk stratification. METHODS This modelling study used a dynamic simulation model of the HBV epidemic in 110 countries in all WHO regions, structured by age, sex, and country. We assessed three strategies of scaling up PAP for pregnant women: PAP for those with high viral load (PAP-VL); PAP for those who are HBeAg-positive (PAP-HBeAg); and PAP for all pregnant women who are HBsAg-positive (PAP-universal), in comparison with neonatal vaccination alone (HepB-BD). We investigated how different diagnostic and antiviral drug costs affected the cost-effectiveness of the strategies evaluated. Using a health-care provider perspective, we calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in cost (US$) per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted in each country's population and compared these with country-specific cost-effectiveness thresholds. We also calculated new neonatal infections averted for each of the strategies. FINDINGS Adding PAP-VL to HepB-BD could avert around 1·1 million (95% uncertainty interval 1·0 million-1·2 million) new neonatal infections by 2030 and around 3·2 million (95% uncertainty interval 3·0 million-3·4 million) new neonatal infections and approximately 8·8 million (7·8 million-9·7 million) DALYs by 2100 across all the countries modelled. This strategy would probably be cost-effective up to 2100 in 28 (26%) of 106 countries analysed (which included some of the countries that have the greatest HBV burden) if costs are as currently expected to be, and in 74 (70%) countries if diagnostic and monitoring costs were lowered (by about 60-75%). The relative cost-effectiveness of PAP-VL and PAP-HBeAg was finely balanced and depended on the respective diagnostic and monitoring costs. The PAP-universal strategy could be more cost-effective than either of these strategies in most countries, but the use of antiviral treatment could be five times as high than with PAP-VL. INTERPRETATION PAP can provide substantial health benefits, and, although the current approach might already be cost-effective in some high-burden settings, decreased diagnostic costs would probably be needed for PAP to be cost-effective in most countries. Therefore, careful consideration needs to be given about how such a strategy is implemented, and securing reduced costs for diagnostics should be a priority. The theoretical strategy of offering PAP to all women who are HBsAg-positive (eg, if diagnostic tests to identify mothers at risk of transmission are not available) could be a cost-effective alternative, depending on prevailing costs of diagnostics and antiviral therapy. FUNDING UK Medical Research Council, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shevanthi Nayagam
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Margaret J de Villiers
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yusuke Shimakawa
- Unité d'Épidémiologie des Maladies Émergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK; MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nick Walsh
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Timothy B Hallett
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Schmit N, Nayagam S, Lemoine M, Ndow G, Shimakawa Y, Thursz MR, Hallett TB. Cost-effectiveness of different monitoring strategies in a screening and treatment programme for hepatitis B in The Gambia. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04004. [PMID: 36655869 PMCID: PMC9853089 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical management of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is complex and access to antiviral treatment remains limited in sub-Saharan Africa. International guidelines recommend monitoring at least annually for disease progression among HBV-infected people not meeting treatment criteria at initial diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies for monitoring. Methods We used a mathematical model of HBV transmission and natural history, calibrated to all available West African data, to project the population-level health impact, costs and cost-effectiveness of different monitoring strategies for HBV-infected individuals not initially eligible for antiviral treatment. We assumed that these patients were found in the year 2020 in a hypothetical community-based screening programme in The Gambia. Monitoring frequencies were varied between every 5 and every 1 year and targeted different age groups. Results The currently recommended annual monitoring frequency was likely to be not cost-effective in comparison with other strategies in this setting. 5-yearly monitoring in 15-45-year olds, at US$338 per disability-adjusted life year averted, had the highest probability of being the most effective cost-effective monitoring strategy. Conclusions Monitoring less frequently than once a year is a cost-effective strategy in a community-based HBV screening and treatment programme in The Gambia, with the optimal strategy depending on the cost-effectiveness threshold. Efficiencies may be gained by prioritising the 15-45-year age group for more intensive monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Schmit
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Shevanthi Nayagam
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gibril Ndow
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Yusuke Shimakawa
- Unité d’Épidémiologie des Maladies Émergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy B Hallett
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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7
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De Micco P, Maraghini MP, Spadafina T. The costs of introducing a vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GOVERNANCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/ijhg-01-2022-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThis study provides a systematic literature review and categorization of the costs reported in the literature for the introduction of new vaccines, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa within LMICs, where vaccines are highly needed, financial resources are scarce and data are lacking and scattered.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA requirements. Searches also included the relevant grey literature. In total, 39 studies were selected and nine cost categories were investigated to build a comprehensive framework.FindingsThe paper considers nine cost categories that cover the whole life of the vaccine, from its initial study to its full implementation, including for each of them the relevant subcategories. The systematic review, besides providing specific quantitative data and allowing to assess their variability within each category, points out that delivery, program preparation, administration and procurement costs are the most frequently estimated categories, while the cost of the good sold, costs borne by households and costs associated to AEFI are usually overlooked. Data reported on R&D costs and investment in the production plant differ significantly among the selected contributions.Originality/valueThe literature contributions on cost estimation tend to focus on a precise vaccine, a specific geographic area, or to adopt a narrow approach that captures only a subset of the costs. This article presents a rich and inclusive set of the economic quantitative data on immunization costs in limited-resource countries.
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8
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Thompson P, Morgan CE, Ngimbi P, Mwandagalirwa K, Ravelomanana NLR, Tabala M, Fathy M, Kawende B, Muwonga J, Misingi P, Mbendi C, Luhata C, Jhaveri R, Cloherty G, Kaba D, Yotebieng M, Parr JB. Arresting vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (AVERT-HBV) in pregnant women and their neonates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a feasibility study. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2021; 9:e1600-e1609. [PMID: 34416175 PMCID: PMC8607275 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00304-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa despite the widespread availability of effective childhood vaccines. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, HBV treatment and birth-dose vaccination programmes are not established. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of adding HBV testing and treatment of pregnant women as well as the birth-dose vaccination of HBV-exposed infants to the HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods We did a feasibility study in two maternity centres in Kinshasa: Binza and Kingasani. Using the already established HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme at these two maternity centres, we screened pregnant women for HBV infection at routine prenatal care registration. Those who tested positive and had a gestational age of 24 weeks or less were included in this study. Eligible pregnant women with a high viral load (≥200 000 IU/mL or HBeAg positivity, or both) were considered as having HBV of high risk of mother-to-child transmission and initiated on oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg/day) between 28 weeks and 32 weeks of gestation and continued through 12 weeks post partum. All HBV-exposed infants received a birth-dose of monovalent HBV vaccine (Euvax-B Pediatric: Sanofi Pasteur, Seoul, South Korea; 0·5 mL) within 24 h of life. All women were followed up for 24 weeks post partum, when they completed an exit questionnaire that assessed the acceptability of study procedures. The primary outcomes were the feasibility of screening pregnant women to identify those at high risk for HBV mother-to-child transmission and to provide them with antiviral prophylaxis, the feasibility of administrating the birth-dose vaccine to exposed infants, and the acceptability of this prevention programme. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03567382. Findings Between Sept 24, 2018, and Feb 22, 2019, 4016 women were approached and screened. Of these pregnant women, 109 (2∙7%) were positive for HBsAg. Of the 109 women, 91 (83%) met the eligibility criteria for participation. However, only data from 90 women—excluding one woman who had a false pregnancy—were included in the study analysis. The median overall age of the enrolled women was 31 years (IQR 25–34) and the median overall gestational age was 19 weeks (15–22). Ten (11%) of 91 women evaluated had high-risk HBV infection. Nine (90%) of the ten pregnant women with high-risk HBV infection received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and one (10%) refused therapy and withdrew from the study; five (56%) of the nine women achieved viral suppression (ie, <200 000 IU/mL) on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy by the time of delivery and the remaining four (44%) had decreased viral loads from enrolment to delivery. A total of 88 infants were born to the 90 enrolled women. Of the 88 infants, 60 (68%) received a birth-dose vaccine; of these, 46 (77%) received a timely birth-dose vaccine. No cases of HBV mother-to-child transmission were observed. No serious adverse events associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate nor with the birth-dose vaccine were reported. Only one (11%) of nine women reported dizziness during the course of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy. The study procedures were considered highly acceptable (>80%) among mothers. Interpretation Adding HBV screening and treatment of pregnant women and infant birth-dose vaccination to existing HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission platforms is feasible in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Birth-dose vaccination against HBV infection integrated within the current Expanded Programme on Immunisation and HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme could accelerate progress toward HBV elimination in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Camille E Morgan
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Patrick Ngimbi
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Martine Tabala
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Malongo Fathy
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Bienvenu Kawende
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jérémie Muwonga
- National AIDS Control Program, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Pacifique Misingi
- National Blood Transfusion Program, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Charles Mbendi
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Christophe Luhata
- Expanded Programme on Immunisation, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Ravi Jhaveri
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Didine Kaba
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Marcel Yotebieng
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan B Parr
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Implications of Birth-Dose Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus in Southeast Asia. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040374. [PMID: 33921259 PMCID: PMC8069988 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) covers 11 countries with a combined population of about 2 billion people, making it the most populous of the six WHO regions. In 1992, the WHO advocated including the hepatitis B vaccine in the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) and vaccinating all infants and children three times within 1 year of birth (HepB3). Recently, the WHO advocate birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination (HepB-BD) as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. In 2016, the SEARO endorsed a regional hepatitis B control goal with a target of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence of ≤1% among children aged ≥5 years by 2020. Of the 11 SEARO countries, four achieved this target on schedule. Out of these four countries, two countries (Bangladesh and Nepal) have not adopted HepB-BD in EPI program. On the other hand, the coverage of HepB3 is not satisfactory in some SEARO countries, including India which adopted HepB-BD but could not achieve the overall target of SEARO. Thus, it is a point of debate whether emphasis should be placed on proper implementation of HepB3 or whether a new agenda of HepB-BD should be incorporated in developing countries of SEARO. The article discusses strengthening and expanding the Hepatitis B vaccination program in SEARO countries with an emphasis on HepB and HepB-BD programs.
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