Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medicine

Background: Hepatitis is a critical global health problem and acquiring adequate and recent epidemiological data on HBV and HCV infections is important in prevention and control of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection, liver enzymes profile and associated risk factors among patients suspected of liver diseases in Asmara, Eritrea.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients suspected of liver diseases. 411 participants were screened for serological markers of HBsAg and anti-HCV using rapid assays. Socio-demographic and risk factors data were collected using a pre-designed structured questionnaire. Liver function tests were also performed using an automated spectrophotometer analyzer. Furthermore, for every HBV and HCV positive samples viral load was determined. Collected data were then entered and analyzed using SPSS v.20.

Result: The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV among study participants was 6.6% and 1.7% respectively. Hepatitis virus positive participants had significantly higher mean values of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and GGT. Viral load mean assay level was 10.6 × 10⁶ IU/ml ranging from 20 IU/ml to 1.7 × 10⁸ IU/ml. There was a significant association between HBsAg and sex (cOR= 4.18, 95% CI: 1.65-10.6), residence area (cOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.10-5.69). Multivariate logistic analysis showed males were more prone to HBsAg infection (aOR= 3.9, 95% CI: 1.5-10.0). Moreover, prevalence of liver enzyme abnormality was 8.5% (95% CI: 6.1%- 8.2%). Among these patients, 24 (5.8%) had cholestatic type, 4(1%) had hepatocellular type, and another 7 (1.7%) had mixed type of liver injury.

Conclusion: Though the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection is comparatively low, regular surveillance should be carried out to prevent further transmission of disease and achieve the goals of global HBV and HCV elimination.