Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV infections in the population of Ghudduwah Village, South Libya

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are serious public health concerns in Libya, particularly in the southern region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for HBV and HCV infections among the general population in Ghudduwah village, south Libya.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 352 individuals from April to October 2018. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and suspected risk factors were obtained by a standard questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for HBV markers (HBsAg, HBcAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBsAb) and anti-HCV antibody (HCV-Ab).

Results: The overall prevalence of HBsAg, HBcAb, and HCV-Ab was 2.8%, 21%, and 22.4%, respectively. The rates of HBsAg, HBcAb, and HCV-Ab were significantly higher in males (4.5 %, 25.8% and 26.2 %) than in females (0%, 12.9 %, and 16%, respectively). The high prevalence of HBcAb and HCV-Ab were significantly associated with individuals who had a history of blood transfusion (p = 0.037 and 0.035, respectively) and received dental treatment (p = 0.01 and 0.0001, respectively). In addition, a high prevalence of HCV infection was significantly associated with a family history of viral hepatitis and wet cupping (p = 0.05 and 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions: Ghudduwah village is an area of low-intermediate hepatitis B endemicity, whereas the local prevalence of hepatitis C infection is classified as high-endemicity. History of blood transfusion, dental treatment, family history of viral hepatitis and wet cupping were the most common risk factors for the transmission of HBV and HCV infection.