Burden of Hepatitis B Infection among High Risk Populations in Western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B infection causes significant mor- bidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B infection has been on the rise since 1990 with the highest prevalence reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Health care workers, intra- venous drug users, commercial sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM) are high risk groups for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Due to similar routes of transmis- sion, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individ- uals are also at high risk for Hepatitis B infection. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and describe risk factors of Hepatitis B among high-risk groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014 to 2016 among high-risk groups within western Ken- ya. A total of 860 participants were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Populations studied included were People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), substance us- ers, MSM, female sex workers and patients presenting with signs of chronic liver disease. Data analysis was carried out using Stata version 15. Results: The overall prevalence of Hepatitis B across all risk groups from this study was 10.7% (95% CI 8.6 to 12.8%) out of 860 persons screened. The MSM population had the highest HBV prevalence of 19/90, 17.4% (95% CI 10.2 to 24.7%). Hepatitis B and HIV coinfection prevalence was 53 /802 (8.8%). Reported contact with jaundiced per- sons showed independent association with Hepatitis B in- fection after adjusting for other factors OR 1.87 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.96). Conclusion: The high prevalence of HBV infection shows the need for ongoing screening of high-risk populations to inform planning for vaccination and preventive measures. HIV coinfection was also found to be high among those who were screened which indicates need to test for both viruses.