Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors at Negele Arsi General Hospital and Medical College, South-East Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious causes of liver disease affecting millions of people worldwide. It is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, and other body fluids. The objective is to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and associated factors.

Methods: Face to face interview method was conducted among clients screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen from July 01 to August 30,2020. A total of 300 patients were included in the study. All consecutive patients screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and enrolled during the data collection period were included. Data was entered into Epidata 3.1 software and the analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis with 95 % CI was carried out.

Results: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in this study was 13%. Participants between the age of 21-30 years were three times riskier to hepatitis B virus infection than participants in the age of greater than 41 years (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.27, 7.11). and those who have a family history of hepatitis B virus were three times riskier to hepatitis B virus as compared to those who have no family history of hepatitis B virus (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.16, 6.17).

Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was high in the study hospital. Family history of hepatitis B virus infection and age between 21-30 years old were significantly associated. Therefore, health education on transmission and prevention method should be prepared.