Prevalence and Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Infection Among Outpatient Adults in South-Western Uganda

Abstract

Background: About 2 billion people in the world are exposed to hepatitis B virus. Africa contributes 25% of the global Hepatitis B burden and prevalence in Uganda is 4.3%. Routine testing to establish the burden, improve prevention and control through early diagnosis and management are rare in hospital settings. We aimed at establishing the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B infection among adults attending outpatient clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in Uganda. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients attending MRRH. Consecutive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Blood samples were collected to test HBsAg. Summary statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and the proportion of Serostatus for hepatitis B infection. Bivariate followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with hepatitis B infections. All independent variables with p-values <0.2 were entered into a multivariate model to adjust for confounding. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 400 participants were recruited. 64.5% were females (n=258) and aged 18-29 years (48.5%, n=193). Overall, 22 (5.5%) participants were found to be seropositive for hepatitis B infection. Residing in Kiruhura district (AOR = 11.9, 95% CI: 2.40-59.25, p<0.003) was significantly associated with hepatitis B infection while being female (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.11-0.88, p<0.018) was protective. Conclusion: Prevalence of hepatitis B infection among adult patients attending outpatient clinic at MRRH was 5.5% with male gender and residing in Kiruhura district as factors associated with high prevalence of hepatitis B infection. Ministry of Health should scale up hepatitis B routine testing and treatment at MRRH and its catchment area, with special control programs such as screening, vaccination, and sensitization involving men.

Cancer patterns in Arua district, Uganda: a hospital-based retrospective study

“…The overrepresentation of liver cancer in Arua district could be attributed to the high prevalence of Hepatitis B (HBV) in Uganda with the highest rates in Northern Uganda and Westnile region where Arua district is located. According to 2018 Uganda National Serosurvey, prevalence of HBV was reported to be 4.3% with a 3.8% prevalence in West Nile [ 10 ]. HBV infection has been reported as the most common risk factor of liver cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa [ 11 ].…”