Research Article
Prevalence of Ac Anti-Hbc Alone Among Pregnant Women at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
33-39
Received:
10 March 2025
Accepted:
21 March 2025
Published:
28 August 2025
Abstract: Introduction: Infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health issue; however, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected regions. Occult hepatitis B Infection (OBI) refers to the presence of HBV DNA in the serum and/or liver of a patient despite negative HBsAg. It is typically an asymptomatic clinical form. Its reactivation is rare and generally occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as those infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and pregnant women. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies (anti-HBc Ab) among pregnant women at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH). Methodology: A prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted from September 17, 2018, to February 25, 2019, involving 102 pregnant women aged 15 to 44 years. Sociodemographic, clinical data, and risk factors were collected; samples were also taken and analyzed using immunochromatographic methods and PCR. A total of 102 pregnant women were tested for HBV markers (HBs antigen and anti-HBc antibody). Only samples containing anti-HBc antibodies were used for the search for HBV DNA. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and he statistical analysis used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 102 pregnant women recruited, 91 tested negative for the HBs antigen, among which 17 were carriers of only the anti-HBc antibody. Of these, 8 were positive for HBV DNA, and 8 pregnant women presented with occult hepatitis B. Conclusion and Suggestions: The presence of the anti-HBc antibody and HBV DNA should be considered as markers of occult hepatitis B. It is imperative to implement systematic screening for these HBV markers to improve the management of pregnant women and their newborns, in order to prevent vertical transmission (mother-to-child).
Abstract: Introduction: Infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health issue; however, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected regions. Occult hepatitis B Infection (OBI) refers to the presence of HBV DNA in the serum and/or liver of a patient despite negative HBsAg. It is typically an asymptomatic clinical form. Its reactivati...
Show More
Research Article
Assessing the Global Impact of Education and Employment on Life Expectancy: A Gender Based Analysis
Sannan Muhammad*
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
40-48
Received:
15 July 2025
Accepted:
25 July 2025
Published:
28 August 2025
Abstract: This study investigates the differential impact of education and employment on life expectancy across genders using a global dataset, comprising 177 countries. Grounded in the Social Determinants of Health framework and Gender Intersectionality theory, we employ a multivariable regression model to analyze data from the Human Development Index and the World Bank (2022), using life expectancy at birth as the dependent variable and mean years of schooling (a proxy for education) and the unemployment rate (a proxy for employment) as independent variables. Our findings reveal that education significantly influences life expectancy for both men and women, with a stronger effect observed in men. Conversely, the impact of unemployment is statistically significant only for men. Although women exhibit higher overall life expectancy than men, their health quality remains compromised due to systemic marginalization. Interaction effects suggest that men derive greater longevity benefits from both employment and schooling, highlighting gendered disparities in the socioeconomic returns to health. These results underscore the importance of gender-sensitive health, employment and education policies that address unequal access and outcomes. By integrating a gender perspective into cross-country health outcome evaluations, this study contributes to the global health economics literature and provides actionable insights for international development and public health policy aimed at reducing gender-based health inequalities.
Abstract: This study investigates the differential impact of education and employment on life expectancy across genders using a global dataset, comprising 177 countries. Grounded in the Social Determinants of Health framework and Gender Intersectionality theory, we employ a multivariable regression model to analyze data from the Human Development Index and t...
Show More
