Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10321/4062
Title: An investigation of the impact of universal Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccination among young blood donors in South Africa
Authors: Sykes, Wendy 
Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus;Vaccination;Young blood donors
Issue Date: 27-May-2021
Abstract: 
Background
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is endemic in South Africa (SA) since more than 70% of the population
is exposed, and this poses a significant risk to the South African blood supply. In April 1995,
SA introduced universal HBV vaccinations for newborns, who became eligible to donate blood
in 2011. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) reported a 69% decline in the
HBV rate in blood donors <20 years of age between 2010 and 2015, while the HBV rate
remained relatively unchanged in older donors. The aim of this study was therefore to
determine the rate of HBV vaccination in South African blood donors and thereby determine
whether the decrease in HBV rates in younger blood donors can be attributed to HBV
vaccination. Blood donors are routinely screened for Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and
Human Immunodeficiency Virus using both molecular and serological techniques. In order to
determine the HBV vaccination rate, Hepatitis B negative first time blood donors were also
tested for antibodies to Hepatitis B surface antigen (Anti-HBs) and antibodies to Hepatitis B
core antigen (Anti-HBc).
Methods
A total of 1072 routine blood donors from SANBS and the Western Cape Blood Service
(WCBS) were included in the study. These blood donors were stratified into two groups: the
pre-vaccination era donors included 536 donors aged 24-28 years who were born before the
introduction of universal HBV vaccination in April 1995, and the post-vaccination era donors
included 536 donors aged 18-24 years born after April 1995. The two groups were matched
for geographic location, gender and ethnic group. Donors with an Anti-HBs titre greater than
10 IU/L and negative for Anti-HBc were deemed vaccinated. Significance was determined
using the Chi square test and multivariable logistic regression.
Results
Of the 1072 donors included in the study, 275 (25.7%) tested Anti-HBs titre > 10 IU/L and AntiHBc negative and were therefore deemed HBV vaccinated. There were 87/538 (16.2%) in the
pre-vaccination era donors and 188/536 (35.1%) in the post-vaccination era donors. In the
pre-vaccination era, vaccination rates were highest among White donors (22.5%) and donors
from the Free State/Northern Cape (37.1%). In contrast, Asian donors (54.8%) and those from
the Northern Zone (41.5%) had the highest vaccination rates in the post-vaccination era. All
differences were significant (p<0.0001). Male and female donors had similar vaccination rates
in both periods (pre-vaccinationgroup 16.8%, 15.7% (p=0.82), post-vaccinationgroup: 34.8%,
35.4% (p=0.96) respectively. Multivariable analysis, after controlling for geography, gender, and ethnicity showed that donors from the post-vaccination era had a 2.9 times greater odds
of being vaccinated than donors born in the pre-vaccination era (OR 2.89, 95%CI, 2.16-3.89).
Compared to Coloured donors, White donors had 2.1 times greater odds of being vaccinated
(OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.21-3.65). No statistically significant odds were noted for geography and
gender.
Summary / Conclusions
A quarter of the donors tested showed evidence of being vaccinated for HBV. The HBV
vaccination rate increased significantly in younger donors born after the 1995 introduction of
universal HBV vaccination in South Africa, indicating programme efficacy. Vaccination rates
increased in all population groups in the post-vaccination era, with the greatest increases
among Asian and Coloured donors, suggesting better uptake of the programme among these
groups. Other than being born in the vaccination era, ethnicity was the only factor
independently associated with being vaccinated. As young vaccinated donors make up more
and more of the donor panel, it is expected that there will be a significant decrease in HBV
rates and a concomitant increase in blood safety. HBV however remains an important public
health and blood transfusion issue and continued efforts are required to strengthen the
implementation and coverage of HBV vaccination programmes targeting all population groups,
including the most vulnerable groups and people living with HIV. In addition, consideration of
birth-dose vaccination to prevent new infections and access to affordable treatment options
are also key to achieving the goals for HBV elimination in South Africa.
Description: 
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science, Durban University of Technology, 2020.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10321/4062
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51415/10321/4062
Appears in Collections:Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat
Sykes_W_2020.pdfThesis2.69 MBAdobe PDFView/Open
Show full item record

Page view(s)

335
checked on Dec 23, 2024

Download(s)

138
checked on Dec 23, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.