Submission ID 117436
| Issue/Objective | Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health threat, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where over 64.7 million people are chronically infected, as per the WHO Global Hepatitis Report 2024. The exact prevalence in Liberia is unknown. Studies in Montserrado showed rates of 6.12% and 14% among healthcare workers and prisoners, respectively .This study examines HBV surface antigen positivity to generate evidence on the HBV burden in southeastern Liberia, a crucial step toward WHO's 2030 elimination goals |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | A retrospective review of 12,753 Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) test results from JJ Dossen Hospital between September 2020 and December 2023 was conducted using data from laboratory registers. Patient data including demographics were entered into an Excel database by trained clerks. Age groups were categorized as <14 years, 15-25 years, 26-49 years, and ≥50 years based on standard criteria. HBsAg positivity was determined by rapid diagnostic tests, and prevalence analysis was performed in R-Studio. HBV serology was unavailable. |
| Results | Of the 12,753 tests conducted, 861 were positive, yielding a 6.75% HBsAg positivity rate. Females 467 (54.2%) had a higher positivity rate than males 394(45.8%). The age group with the highest positivity rate was 26-49 years, 439 positives (50.99%), followed by the 15-25 years age group with 276 positives (32.06%). Positivity in the >50 years age category was 117 (13.6%), and in the <14 years category, it was 29 (3.4%). Differences by sex and age were statistically significant (p < 0.05). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This pioneering study, where nearly 1 in 15 individuals is affected, provides crucial baseline data on HBV burden in southeastern Liberia. It reveals positivity trends similar to those reported in Montserrado, underscoring a significant public health concern. Community-based studies with Hepatitis B serology are needed to better understand Liberia's HBV burden and guide effective interventions. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Robert Sieh Jr Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons Ssentamu John Vanglist Partners in Health, Liberia. Flomo G. Cole Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons Bill P. Davis James Jenkins Dossen Hospital Joe Davies Partners in Health, Liberia. Theophilus T. Allison Partners in Health, Liberia. Tomarleen J Collins Partners in Health, Liberia. Arnold ayebare Partners in Health, Liberia. Leroy N. Kpokpah Partners in Health, Liberia. Sterman Toussaint Partners in Health, Liberia. Sarah Anyango Partners in Health, Liberia. Siedoh Freeman Maryland County Health Team, Ministry of Health (MOH) V. Grays Maryland County Health Team, Ministry of Health (MOH) Melvin Tamba Partners in Health, Liberia. Joshua F. Bartue Maryland County Health Team, Ministry of Health (MOH) Alphonso Jallah Partners in Health, Liberia. Howe Wodoblita Partners in Health, Liberia. John Otuba Partners in Health, Liberia. Anthony Tucker The Noncommunicable Diseases Program, MOH Maxo Luma Partners in Health, Liberia. |
