Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus among middle to high socio-economic antenatal population in Sierra Leone.

This study was designed in order to find out the prevalence of HBV markers amongst pregnant women of middle and high socio-economic class in Sierra Leone. The aim was to determine the necessity and likely benefits of a scheme aimed at the vaccination of children of seropositive mothers who can afford the cost until mass immunisation is possible. A total of 302 women were studied. The seroprevalence rate formed in this study population was 6.2%. The proposed intervention would markedly reduce the HBV status in Sierra Leone, taking into account the high prevalent rate amongst this group. The low anti-HBs found in this population was suprisingly (5.1%); considering the high degree of antigenemia, this should be a subject for future research.

The prevalence of sickle cell trait in Sierra Leone. A laboratory profile.

Three thousand five hundred and twenty four (1527 male and 1997 female) samples were screened for the presence of the abnormal haemoglobin--Sickle Cell (HbS) between 1990-1993. 780 (22%) of these show sickle erythrocytes in a reduced oxygen environment. Electrophoretic differentiation of 344 samples positive from the metabisulphite screening test, revealed that 76 are of the homozygous form with 3 being HbSC. Noting the adverse consequences on the health status of those affected and the expense involved in the management of such patients, there is an urgent need for intervention.