The seroprevalence for antibodies to HIV-1, HTLV-1, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) were determined in a large group of Mozambican refugees living in Swaziland. Serum samples were collected from a total of 398 refugees located in the two camps (Ndzevane and Malindza). The prevalence for antibodies in the two camps were as follows: Ndzevane: 1.2% (HIV-1); 2.8% (HTLV-1); 0.3% (HCV); 4% (HEV) and 66% for any HBV marker. Malindza: 10.8% (HIV-1); 5.4% (HTLV-1); nil (HCV); 2% (HEV) and 65.7% for any HBV marker. The difference in the HIV-1 seroprevalence between the two camps was statistically highly significant. The phenomenon is possibly related to the location of the Malindza camp in the northern most populous area of Swaziland, resulting in more frequent contact between refugees and the local Swazi population.

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Research Methodology virus infection HIV Infections Africa south of the Sahara refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection population Migrants methodology health survey developing country Population Dynamics sex ratio Research Report Developing Countries human Refugees epidemiology Southern Africa Population Surveillance measurement ethnology Portuguese Speaking Africa Humans Adolescent virology Infant, Newborn Viral Diseases male preschool child Diseases Infant Child, Preschool newborn female Africa Virus Diseases Mozambique prevalence hepatitis Article blood adult migration Eastern Africa Demographic Factors Sex Distribution English Speaking Africa age distribution Swaziland Seroepidemiologic Studies Child