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Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a public health concern. Blood donors screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) along with aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) could play a key in providing safe blood products. We investigated the features related to HBV infection among rejected blood donors in Luanda, Angola. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study conducted with 164 rejected donors. Donors were screened for HBsAg from March to May 2022. Overall, 63.4% tested positive for HBV. Results The mean age of the HBV‐positive (29.2 ± 8.02) was lower than the HBV‐negative (33.9 ± 10.0) (p

Abstract Background and Aims The acute tropical infectious disease known as yellow fever (YF) is caused by an arbovirus and is characterized by fever, jaundice, hemorrhage, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Angola experienced a yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak that was documented in December 2015. However, little is known about the outcome of this outbreak. We aimed to demonstrate epidemic features and lessons learned during the YF epidemic in Angola. Methods A total of 4618 blood samples from suspected YF cases were sent to the Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS), a national referral and public health laboratory, between December 5, 2015, and December 23, 2016. Sample analyses were conducted using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays. Blood samples were sent from 16 out of the 18 provinces of Angola. Results We detected 884 (19.1%) cases that were positive for ELISA, which were confirmed by RT‐PCR assay. Considering the positive cases, the incidence among male patients was around three times higher (n = 223; 10.9%) than in female patients (n = 59; 2.6%) in the 20–29 age group, followed by the age group 10–19 with n = 211 (6.8%) in males versus n = 108 (3.3%) in females; and the age group 30–39 had n = 68 (4.8%) in males versus n = 28 (1.8%) in females. The other groups had an incidence below 3.0%. The case fatality ratio for YF was in young adults in the age group 20–29 with n = 39 cases, followed by the age group 10–19 with n = 16 cases, and finally the age group 0–9 with n = 13 cases. The other age groups had several deaths by YF below 10 cases. Conclusions This study demonstrates features of the YF epidemic that occurred in Angola. Also, it demonstrates that YF causes deaths in young people but is preventable by high vaccine coverage. Thus, public health laboratory surveillance must be strengthened to reduce the possibility of emerging and re‐emerging human infections.

Abstract Background and Aims SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is a public health concern. Several aspects related to the pattern of infection remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Luanda, Angola, a sub‐Saharan African country. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis containing 343 blood donors from December 2019 to September 2020. Parametric tests compared means while χ2 and logistic regression checked features associated with high blood pressure and were considered significant when p 0.05). A significant link was observed, between the Rhesus factor and blood pressure status (p = 0.032). Conclusion We showed important variations in blood pressure indices of the Angolan population exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. Older age and non‐O blood groups appear to be important biological factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after or during SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure. Further studies assessing the impact on cardiovascular functions with ongoing or long‐term SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure in individuals from resource‐limited countries should be considered.

Abstract Background and Aims Hypertension is a public health concern, mainly in resource‐limited countries. We investigated the characteristics and risk factors related to high blood pressure in healthy blood donors from, Luanda, the capital city of Angola. Methods This was a retrospective study that included 343 healthy donors from December 2019 to September 2020. Results The mean age was 32 ± 9 years. Men represented 93% of the population. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 131 ± 12.3 mmHg (ranging from 100 to 160 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 80.1 ± 9.72 mmHg (from 56.0 to 100 mmHg). DBP was related to age and gender (p 140/90 mmHg). Age between 20 and 40 years (odds ratio [OR]: 2.52, p = 0.043), women (OR: 1.87, p = 0.548), nonurbanized areas (OR: 0.39, p = 0.067), high educational level (OR: 0.76, p = 0.637), employed (OR: 0.49, p = 0.491), voluntary donors (OR: 0.87, p = 0.799), blood group B (OR: 2.06, p = 0.346), and Rh‐ (OR: 0.26, p = 0.104), were potentially related with high‐pressure. The high‐pressure cases increased from December 2019 (4%) to September 2020 (28%) (p = 0.019). Conclusion We showed high pressure among the healthy blood donors population. Demographic characteristics, ABO/Rh blood group, and year period are features that should be considered in cardiovascular disease control strategies. Biological and nonbiological features related to blood pressure changes should be considered for further studies in the Angolan population.

Abstract Background and Aims Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection is a public health concern. Until 2021, more than 2 million cumulative deaths were reported worldwide. Herein, we investigated the immune profile of healthcare professionals 6 months after vaccination or exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Angola. Methods This was a prospective study conducted with 1068 Angolan healthcare professionals between August and December 2021. Participants were screened for the presence of IgG and IgM against SARS‐CoV‐2. Results About 9.6% and 98.2% of the participants had prior exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 or vaccination against it, respectively. Participants aged between 20 and 40 years (11.2%), female (12.4%), with higher educational level (12.8%), from Luanda (60.3%), and nonhealthcare professionals (8.1%) were the most affected by the SARS‐CoV‐2. Gender, education, and local residence were related to SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure (p 3 months. Individuals who received only the first dose regardless of the type of vaccine had a higher immunity duration (>3 months) than those who received two doses. For individuals who received the Sputnik and Johnson, the average immunity was lower (