Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The magnitude of HBV and HCV infections in Ethiopia has not been well studied at community level. This study aimed at investigating the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among HBV unvaccinated community members in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts from March to May 2018. Structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant clinical and socio-demographic data. Three milliliter of blood sample was collected from each study participant and screened for HBV and HCV using one step hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test strip and one step HCV test strip, respectively. Samples found positive for HBsAg were further tested using immunoassay of Alere DetermineTM HBsAg (Alere Inc., USA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.ResultsA total of 625 (51.4% males, age 6–80 years, mean age ± SD = 30.83 ± 13.51 years) individuals participated in the study. The sero-prevalence for HBV infection was 8.0% as detected using one step HBsAg test strip, while it was 7.2% using Alere DetermineTM HBsAg test. The sero-prevalence for HCV infection was 1.9%. Two (0.3%) of the participants were seropositive for both HBV and HCV infections. High sero-prevalence for HBV infection was associated with weakness and fatigue (AOR = 5.20; 95% CI: 1.58, 17.15), while high sero-prevalence of HCV infection was associated with age group between 46 and 65 years (AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 152.41).ConclusionThis study revealed higher-intermediate endemicity level of HBV infection and low to intermediate endemicity level of HCV infection in the study area. Clinical symptoms like weakness and fatigue were found to be indictors for HBV infection, while individuals in the age group between 46 and 65 years were at higher risk for HCV infection. Provision of community- based health education; vaccination, mass screening and providing treatment would have utmost importance in reducing the transmission of these diseases in the present study area.

Highlights

  • Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, can be caused by infectious and non-infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, alcohol, drugs, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases [1]

  • Two (0.3%) of the participants were seropositive for both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections

  • High sero-prevalence for HBV infection was associated with weakness and fatigue (AOR = 5.20; 95% CI: 1.58, 17.15), while high seroprevalence of HCV infection was associated with age group between 46 and 65 years (AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 152.41)

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Summary

Introduction

Inflammation of the liver, can be caused by infectious and non-infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, alcohol, drugs, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases [1]. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most important causes of viral hepatitis [2] Both HBV and HCV can be transmitted through sexual, blood or vertically from motherto-child [3]. Individuals who need blood transfusion, those having multiple sexual partners and infants born from HBV or HCV infected mothers are at a high-risk for acquiring HBV or HCV infection [4]. Both viruses can cause acute and chronic infection of the liver [5, 6]. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout the world. This study aimed at investigating the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among HBV unvaccinated community members in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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