Viral hepatitis screening and vaccination in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: report on the 2022 and 2023 world hepatitis day events

2022 and 20203 viral hepatitis screening and vaccination in Accra, Ghana

  • Diana A Asare Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Selorm P Segbefia Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Frank Osei Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Doreen Teye-Adjei Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Georgina Agyekum Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Rawdat Awuku-Larbi West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Bright Asare Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Lutterodt Bentum-Ennin Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Esther Mintah Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Nana Y Appiah Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Rafiatu Abdul-Mumin Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Cecilia Yankey Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Theophilus Brenko Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Nana AO Koranteng Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • JAMAL Inusah Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Linda Akuffo Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Nana A. Ababio University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Dorcas Anfu-Okine University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Adelaide Dicka University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Linda E Amoah Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Kwadwo A Kusi Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Joseph H K Bonney Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2026.3.8.1.1428-1435
Keywords: Ghana, viral hepatitis, screening, vaccination, world hepatitis day

Abstract

Background: Viral Hepatitis remains a major public health threat, affecting millions globally. For over a decade, 28th July has been observed as World Hepatitis Day, with the goal of raising awareness, sensitising, and mobilising global efforts to control and prevent viral hepatitis. In 2022 and 2023, we actively participated in and supported events marking this day by conducting awareness-raising activities and promoting the prevention and control of viral hepatitis B and C.
Objective: This study aimed to screen and vaccinate individuals who tested negative, as well as identify and link to care asymptomatic individuals who are unknowingly living with chronic hepatitis in order to prevent progression to liver cancer.
Methods: Screening and vaccination activities were conducted at Maamobi General Hospital and the Legon Campus (LC) in 2022, and at the Madina STC Yard and the LC in 2023. Individuals who provided consent were screened for HBV and HCV antigens and/or antibodies. Those eligible were vaccinated against HBV, while individuals who tested positive for HBV or HCV were referred for clinical care. Contact details
for the vaccinees were captured, and follow-up calls were made to remind participants of subsequent vaccinations.
Results: In 2022, of 388 participants tested, 25 (6.4%) tested positive for HBV infection (HBsAg-positive). Forty-eight (12.4%) persons had protective antibodies (anti-HBs-positive) while 315 individuals tested negative for anti-HBs and consented to receive HBV vaccination. In all 206 (64.8%) of the 315 persons completed all three doses. In 2023, among 548 participants, 43 (7.8%) tested positive for CHB and 59 (10.8%) had protective antibodies. Across both years, we have screened 936 people and identified 68 (7.3%) CHB cases and 7 (0.7%) anti HCV-positive persons. We were also able to fully vaccinate 317 persons. Over the two years, 722 received the first dose, 487 received the second dose, and 46 received booster shots.
Conclusion: Our community engagement activities support the Global Health Sector Strategy by identifying infected individuals for care and promoting HBV vaccination, thereby helping uncover undetected cases.

Published
2026-03-24
Issue
Vol 8 No 1 (2026): Health Sciences Investigations Journal
Section
Original Research Article