Abstract
Kazakhstan has implemented comprehensive programs to reduce the incidence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and risk factors for HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity in three large regions of Kazakhstan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three regions geographically remote from each other. Participants were randomly selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling and were surveyed by a questionnaire based on the WHO STEP survey instrument. Blood samples were collected for HBsAg and anti-HCV testing. A total of 4,620 participants were enrolled. The seroprevalence was 5.5% (95%CI: 3.6%-8.4%) for HBsAg and 5.1% (95%CI: 3.5%-7.5%) for anti-HCV antibodies. Both were more prevalent in the western and northern regions than in the southern. A history of blood transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV presence, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95%CI: 1.37-3.21) and was borderline associated with HBsAg 1.39 (95%CI: 0.92-2.10), respectively. Having a family member with viral hepatitis was also borderline associated (2.09 (95%CI: 0.97-4.50)) with anti-HCV positivity. This study found a high-intermediate level of endemicity for HBsAg and a high level of endemicity for anti-HCV antibodies in three large regions of Kazakhstan. We found that history of surgery was not associated with HbsAg neither with anti-HCV seropositivity rates. Blood transfusion was associated with anti-HCV seropositivity, however, to investigate effectiveness of the introduced comprehensive preventive measures in health care settings, there is a need to conduct further epidemiological studies.
Highlights
Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide, with a number of related deaths similar to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. [1] Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections constitute over 90% of the overall burden of viral hepatitis
A history of blood transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV presence, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95%CI: 1.37–3.21) and was borderline associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) 1.39 (95%CI: 0.92–2.10), respectively
This study found a high-intermediate level of endemicity for HBsAg and a high level of endemicity for anti-HCV antibodies in three large regions of Kazakhstan
Summary
Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide, with a number of related deaths similar to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. [1] Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections constitute over 90% of the overall burden of viral hepatitis. [2] HBV and HCV infections decrease the quality of life and pose significant financial burdens on patients and their families, including health-related expenses and adverse impacts on employment. [5] Studies evaluating the epidemiology of HBV and HCV in Kazakhstan have included only populations-at-risk, and/or were conducted in a single city or region. Understanding the epidemiology of HBV and HCV can inform more effective policies to decrease the burden of viral hepatitis in Kazakhstan that may be applicable to other developing countries as well.
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