Prevalence And Risk Factors Associated With Hepatitis B And C Among Patients With Liver Disease At Juba Medical Complex, South Sudan.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B and C viruses are a major public health problem worldwide affecting billions of individuals. Limited information exists on this matter in South Sudan. This study was undertaken with the aim of determining the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with liver disease at Juba Medical Complex, South Sudan.

Methodology: The study was conducted on 69 clinically diagnosed liver disease patients. Possible associated factors with infections by the viruses were collected from the subjects using questionnaire. Serum was screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti- hepatitis C virus antibodies using Enzyme immunoassay.

Results: Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 26 (37.9%) and anti-HCV antibody 11 (15.9%) patients clinically diagnosed to have liver diseases. Hepatitis B virus infection was higher in males 16/38 (42.1%) compared to 10/31 (32.2%) in females, while anti-hepatitis C virus antibody was higher in females 6/31 (19.4%) compared to 5/38 (13.2%) in males. Of the study participants, 4 (5.8%) had dual hepatitis B and C virus co-infection. The prevalence increased with age; the highest prevalence of hepatitis B was in the age group of 20 – 29 years 25 (36.2%), and that of hepatitis C virus was in age group of 30 – 39 year. None of the 69 subjects younger than 5 years and none above the age of 80 years had HBsAg or anti-HCV. Various risk factors for acquiring both hepatitis infections were identified; gender, age, injury with sharp object, family history of hepatitis, and surgical history.

Conclusion: This study provided much important information concerning hepatitis B and C prevalence and risk factors among patients with liver disease; it showed the intermediate endemicity for HCV infection and pointed to an increasing trend of HBV incidence, which might reclassify South Sudan in high HBV endemicity area, among liver disease patients. This could be attributed to the lack of enough control measures by the government. In this study, HBV and HCV infections were associated with history of injury with sharp object and history of blood transfusion. Therefore, prevention and control measures are needed to reduce the spread of these infections among liver disease patients.