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. 2022 Mar 17;10(3):463.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines10030463.

Susceptibility to Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Four Districts of Xaysomboun Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Siriphone Virachith  1 , Mapor Lao  2 , Magnoula Inthepphavong  2 , Saythong Inthalath  2 , Judith M Hübschen  3 , Sengchanh Kounnavong  2 , Somphou Sayasone  2 , Antony P Black  1
Affiliations

Susceptibility to Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Four Districts of Xaysomboun Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Siriphone Virachith et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

Xaysomboun province has some of the lowest health indicators in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the vaccination, susceptibility and exposure status of the population to hepatitis B virus (HBV), measles, rubella, and tetanus. Participants aged 5 years and older were randomly selected from four districts. From each enrolled participant, demographic data and 5 mL of blood sample were taken. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBV, measles, rubella, and tetanus were detected by ELISA. A total of 363 participants (age 5 to 80 years) were included. HBV exposure, as determined by anti-HBV core (anti-HBc) antibodies, was 56.2% overall, and was significantly higher among those aged ≥21 years (78.1%). HBsAg was detected in 9.4% overall and increased to 20% in ages 31-40 years. Only 13.8% of participants had serology indicative of vaccination (anti-HBs positive, anti-HBc negative). Seroprotection against measles was 74.6% overall but only 41.7% in children aged 5-10 years. Anti-rubella IgG was 94.2% overall and high in all age groups. Tetanus seroprevalence was only 47.4% overall but significantly higher in females aged 31-40 (75.6%). We suggest strengthening of routine and booster HBV, measles, and tetanus vaccine coverage in Xaysomboun province.

Keywords: Laos; antibodies; diphtheria; hepatitis B; measles; rubella; tetanus; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-stratified Hepatitis B serology.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-stratified anti-measles and anti-rubella median antibody titers by age group. The horizontal dotted line represents the positivity cut-off for anti-measles (275 IU/L) and anti-rubella (11 IU/mL) antibodies.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age-stratified tetanus seroprevalence status according to sex. (A) Male; (B) female.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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