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EMPHNET 6th Regional Conference 2018: "Innovative approaches: Adapting to the current EMR context" (113)
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The Epidemiological Profile of Viral Hepatitis B and C in Morocco Between 2013 and 2016

The Epidemiological Profile of Viral Hepatitis B and C in Morocco Between 2013 and 2016

Authors of this article:

Ilham Dahbi ;   I Khoudri
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    Abstract

    Corresponding Author:

    Ilham Dahbi


    Background: Hepatitis B and C virus infections (HBV/HCV) are a global health problem. Morocco is considered as a middle endemic country. HBV/HCV surveillance system was implemented in Directorate of Epidemiology by the Ministry of Health as an ongoing process of case investigation, data collection, analysis and also dissemination of data to public health professionals.

    Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological profile of HBV/HCV infections during a four-year period.

    Methods: This was a descriptive and retrospective study of HBV/HCV cases registered from 2013 to 2016 by 22 referral centers for viral hepatitis in Morocco. Registration of new cases was reported monthly via a reporting form using WHO case definitions. Socio-demographic characteristics, diagnostic circumstances, modes of transmission, clinical and biological data of suspected or confirmed cases were collected.

    Results: A total of 1160 HBV/HCV cases were registered (95% HCV vs 5% HBV). Male/female ratio was 0.52 and 48% were married. Free Medical regimen was available in public health services for 90% of patients. HCV cases came mostly from two northern regions: Rabat (24%) and Casablanca (21%). Regarding diagnostic circumstances, cases were identified during screening (25%), systematic blood check (21%), cytolyse (18%) or during blood exams before surgery (13%). Infections were frequently transmitted during dental care (58%), followed by transfusion-transmitted infections in 8% of cases and sexually transmitted in 4% of cases. In 80% of cases, HCV were active. The presence of detectable HCV RNA sequences, 54% were Genotypes 1 and 43% were genotype 2.

    Conclusions: This analysis is from the data of surveillance system recently implemented. It allowed us to have an idea about the epidemiological profile of HCV/HBV in Morocco. However, these results point out the necessity to reinforce the surveillance system by involvement of more different regions in order to report more cases, and also the computerization of notification process.

    iproc 2018;4(1):e10613

    doi:10.2196/10613


    Edited by Y Khader; This is a non–peer-reviewed article. submitted 29.03.18; accepted 29.03.18; published 29.03.18

    Copyright

    ©Ilham Dahbi, I Khoudri. Originally published in Iproceedings (http://www.iproc.org), 29.03.2018.

    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in Iproceedings, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.iproc.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.