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Background <p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global public health problem that affects approximately 2&#xa0;billion people worldwide. In Ethiopia, there is limited information on the community-wide spread of HBV, especially among youth. This gap in community-wide data hinders a thorough understanding of HBV transmission dynamics and effective public health interventions tailored to youth populations in southern-central Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among youth ages 15 to 29 years in southern-central Ethiopia.</p> Methods <p>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2022. A multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to select 692 study participants. Data on exposure variables were collected via a standardized questionnaire. A rapid diagnostic test with immunochromatographic strips was used to screen for HBV infection. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify independent predictors of HBV infection.</p> Results <p>The overall prevalence of HBV was 6.8% [95% confidence (CI): 5.1–8.9] out of 692 youth tested for the HBV surface antigen. The prevalence varies among <i>kebeles</i> (Ethiopia’s smallest administrative unit), ranging from 2.2% in Borer <i>Kebele</i> to 9.7% in Jeju <i>Kebele</i>. Over 80% of the participants demonstrated poor knowledge about HBV. Only 6 (0.9%) of the study participants had received HBV vaccination. A history of dental extraction [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.82; 95% CI: 1.05, 7.60], history of hospitalization (AOR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.26, 7.97), history of having close contact with a person who has jaundice (AOR: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.24, 10.24), and having multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months (AOR: 8.81; 95% CI: 3.84, 20.21) were significantly associated with HBV infection.</p> Conclusions <p>The study showed that the prevalence of HBV infection among the youth population was at the upper end of the intermediate endemicity range according to the World Health Organization classification and varied across study <i>kebeles</i>. We also found a low vaccination history for HBV. Tooth extraction, hospitalization, contact with jaundiced individuals, and having multiple sexual partners significantly increased HBV infection. Infection prevention in dental clinics and hospitals; behavioral change education on risky sexual behaviors; expanding services for screening, and treatment; and emphasizing the urgent catch-up vaccination campaigns for youth are crucial to reduce HBV transmission.</p> Trial registration <p>Not applicable.</p>

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Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus infection among youth in southern-central Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Zeleke Tadesse Joffe,
  • Desalegn Tsegaw,
  • Selam Fentahun,
  • Samuel Darge,
  • Tsegaye Alemu,
  • Tarekegn Solomon

摘要

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global public health problem that affects approximately 2 billion people worldwide. In Ethiopia, there is limited information on the community-wide spread of HBV, especially among youth. This gap in community-wide data hinders a thorough understanding of HBV transmission dynamics and effective public health interventions tailored to youth populations in southern-central Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among youth ages 15 to 29 years in southern-central Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2022. A multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to select 692 study participants. Data on exposure variables were collected via a standardized questionnaire. A rapid diagnostic test with immunochromatographic strips was used to screen for HBV infection. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify independent predictors of HBV infection.

Results

The overall prevalence of HBV was 6.8% [95% confidence (CI): 5.1–8.9] out of 692 youth tested for the HBV surface antigen. The prevalence varies among kebeles (Ethiopia’s smallest administrative unit), ranging from 2.2% in Borer Kebele to 9.7% in Jeju Kebele. Over 80% of the participants demonstrated poor knowledge about HBV. Only 6 (0.9%) of the study participants had received HBV vaccination. A history of dental extraction [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.82; 95% CI: 1.05, 7.60], history of hospitalization (AOR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.26, 7.97), history of having close contact with a person who has jaundice (AOR: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.24, 10.24), and having multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months (AOR: 8.81; 95% CI: 3.84, 20.21) were significantly associated with HBV infection.

Conclusions

The study showed that the prevalence of HBV infection among the youth population was at the upper end of the intermediate endemicity range according to the World Health Organization classification and varied across study kebeles. We also found a low vaccination history for HBV. Tooth extraction, hospitalization, contact with jaundiced individuals, and having multiple sexual partners significantly increased HBV infection. Infection prevention in dental clinics and hospitals; behavioral change education on risky sexual behaviors; expanding services for screening, and treatment; and emphasizing the urgent catch-up vaccination campaigns for youth are crucial to reduce HBV transmission.

Trial registration

Not applicable.