Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Adults in Southwest Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Alemayehu Sayih Belay; Dejene Derseh Abateneh; Sisay Shewasinad Yehualashet; Kindie Mitiku Kebede

doi:10.2147/IJGM.S259375

Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Adults in Southwest Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Int J Gen Med. 2020 Jun 22:13:323-332. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S259375. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Alemayehu Sayih Belay¹, Dejene Derseh Abateneh^{1

2}, Sisay Shewasinad Yehualashet^{1

3}, Kindie Mitiku Kebede¹

Affiliations

¹ Mizan Tepi University, College of Health Sciences, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia.
² Kotebe Metropolitan University, Menelik II College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
³ Debre Berhan University, Institute of Health Sciences, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Purpose: Ethiopia is grouped with countries with no national strategy for surveillance of viral hepatitis. Hence, data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the general population are limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of HBV infection among adults in Southwest Ethiopia.

Materials and methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southwest Ethiopia, from November 1, 2017-January 30, 2018. A total of 612 individuals were included in the study using a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and a whole blood sample was aseptically collected and tested for HBsAg using a commercially available rapid serological test kit. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was retrieved. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Among 612 participants, half of them, 310 (50.7%), were in the age range of 25-34 years. The mean age of the respondents was 32.5 [SD ±7.5] years. Seroprevalence of HBsAg among adults was 55/612 (9.0%). Tattooing on gums (AOR=23.9, 95% CI (2.2-26.3)), tattooing on the body (AOR=6.8, 95% CI (1.1-43.1)), and contact with a jaundiced person (AOR=20.7, 95% CI (6.7-63.8)) were significantly associated with seroprevalence of HBsAg.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus infection in adults at the community level is highly endemic. Modifiable risk factors such as tattooing on gums, tattooing on body, and contact with a jaundiced person account for the high HBV infection. Hence, behavioral education and communication programs designed to reduce HBV infection need to address these modifiable factors.

Keywords: Ethiopia; HBsAg; adult; hepatitis B virus.

Grants and funding

Funding for this study was made possible through grants offered by Mizan Tepi University. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.