Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A, B and C Among a Sample of Refugees in Egypt: An Exploratory Survey

BACKGROUND: Estimating the prevalence of infectious diseases, including viral hepatitis, among refugees is important for evaluating their health needs and predicting the burden on the health system of the host country. This study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis among refugees in Egypt. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved a heterogeneous group of 501 refugees. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect IgG antibodies against hepatitis A virus (HAV), B virus (HBV) surface antigen (anti-HBsAg), C virus (HCV), and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). RESULTS: Anti-HAV was the most prevalent marker (n = 482, 96.2%), followed by anti-HBs (n = 142, 28.3%) and HBsAg (n = 21, 4.2%), while only four refugees (0.8%) had positive anti-HCV IgG. Anti-HBs was higher in males (p < 0.05). Older refugees and non-working subjects had significantly higher seropositive rates of anti-HAV (p = 0.051 and p = 0.023, respectively), while students and those below 15 years of age had higher rates of anti-HBs (p < 0.05). Positive HBsAg results were associated with history of hepatitis (p < 0.001). Obese participants were more likely to be positive for HBsAg (p = 0.025) and anti-HBs (p < 0.05). Sudanese refugees had significantly higher rates of anti-HAV antibodies (p = 0.049), while Yemini refugees had significantly higher rates for HBsAg (p = 0.019) positivity. Residents of Dakahlia had significantly higher rates of anti-HAV (p = 0.008) and anti-HBs (p < 0.05). None of the studied risk factors was significantly associated with anti-HCV. CONCLUSION: Refugees in Egypt have poor immunity against HBV with intermediate to high HBV and low HCV prevalence rates. Despite that 65% of refugees received the HAV vaccine, almost all had IgG anti-HAV, denoting previous infection.