Prevalence and predictors of hepatitis B in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia: a population-based seroprevalence study

Abstract

Introduction: Despite solid preventive strategies to reduce the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, recent reports about its prevalence and predictors are lacking in several Saudi cities at the community level. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HBV and to identify the most important predictors among the Saudi population in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5,584 Saudi people attending primary health-care centers in Jeddah city during 2012/2013. Sociodemographic and hepatitis-related data were collected. HBV was diagnosed by ELISA test. The seroprevalence of HBV was estimated, and appropriate statistical analyses were performed, including univariate and multivariable regression analyses. Results: The seroprevalence of HBV was 2.2% (95% CI = 1.82-2.58) in the studied participants. The prevalence was higher among nongovernmental workers (3.5%), male participants (3.4%) and those aged ≥ 25 years (2.4%). The most important predictors for increasing the risk of HBV in this study were HBV contacts, male sex, history of dental procedures and blood transfusion. The significant positive risks associated with these predictors were 3.3, 2.5, 2.0 and 1.65, respectively. HBV vaccination, on the other hand, was associated with a significant risk reduction of 88% (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.03-0.51). Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HBV was relatively low among the Saudi population in Jeddah city reflecting the actions taken by health authorities to control HBV infection. However, more efforts, particularly in relation to health education programmes, strict control of blood banks and dental clinics, are still needed.

Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus and Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs among Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…An estimated 58 million people are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C yearly, and approximately 1.5 million new infections occur. HCV is transmitted parentally and mostly occurs owing to unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, injection drug use, and sexual practices related to exposure to blood [ 5 , 6 ]. The overall reported prevalence rate of HCV in Saudi Arabia is approximately 1.2% [ 7 ].…”

Seroprevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and C among Blood Donors in the Northern Region of Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

“…The overall reported prevalence rates of HBV and HCV in Saudi Arabia are approximately 3.2% and 1.2%, respectively [13], according to studies on various target groups including military personnel, healthcare staff, premarital screening, hemodialysis patients, pregnant women, and blood donors across various geographical distributions, as well as socioeconomic backgrounds [14]. However, due to the healthcare awareness program and vaccination drives and/or campaigns in recent decades, the prevalence of viral hepatitis has significantly decreased in the Saudi population.…”