HBV prevalence rates are estimated to be three times higher than those for HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, with even higher rates among children and healthcare workers.
Most of what we hear in the news today with respect to African countries concerns the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS. Although HIV infection is a significant problem, there are other diseases that also plague African countries. Different countries in Africa have different prevalence rates of HIV-1 and/or HIV-2.
In Tanzania, where I spent the past two weeks, HIV-2 infections have not yet been reported, and HIV-1 prevalence rates vary between 5% and 13% depending on the area you live. Additionally, malaria and tuberculosis are significant infectious disease problems.
According to an article in, The Citizen newspaper (Dar Es Salaam, Monday, 19 February, 2007), hepatitis B infection has been overshadowed by the attention given to HIV/AIDS. The Citizen reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence rates are estimated to be three times higher than those for HIV/AIDS, with even higher rates of infection among children aged 6 to 15 years (as much as 31%), and healthcare workers (36-57%). Although the government integrated anti-HBV vaccine in the national expanded programme on immunization in 2002, funding delays and vaccine availability have frustrated attempts to provide adequate immunization.
Source:
Mosoba T, P Rugonzibwa. Hepatitis B: Slow killer disease going unnoticed. The Citizen. Dar Es Salaam, Monday, 19 February, 2007.
