Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in a household-based representative sample of African men and women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: In South Africa, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, however, little is known about the prevalence and distribution of HBV in some regions and populations. Methods: This secondary analysis is based on 9791 participants (15-49 years old) enrolled in the HIV incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS); a population-based household study undertaken from June 2014 to June 2015 in the Vulindlela (rural) and Greater Edendale (periurban) areas of the uMgungundlovu district, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Interviewer administered questionnaires were completed to obtain demographic, psychosocial, behavioural and clinical information. Peripheral blood samples were collected and sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and all samples testing positive were further tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe). The estimated weighted seroprevalence of HBV markers was calculated and the association of HBsAg with sociodemographic and behavioural factors measured. Results: The overall HBsAg prevalence was 4.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.4-4.5); 4.8% (95% CI 3.8- 5.8) in men and 3.2% (95% CI 2.5-3.9) in women, P=0.01. Among HBsAg positive participants, 35.2% (95% CI 29.2-41.2) were HBeAg positive and 66.3% (95% CI 60.1-72.4) were anti-HBe positive. Among men 15-19 years old HBeAg seroprevalence was 92.2% (95% CI 75.8-100) compared to 4.4% (95% CI 0-13.7) in women in the same age group; P <0.01. HBsAg prevalence was 6.4% (95% CI 5.3-7.5) among HIV positive participants compared to 2.6% (95% CI 1.9-3.2) among HIV negative participants, (P<0.01) and was higher among HIV positive men 8.7% (95% CI 6.3-11.2) compared to HIV positive women 5.0% (95% CI 3.8-6.2), P<0.01. Conclusion: HBV infection, particularly among HIV positive men remains an important public health problem in rural and periurban communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBeAg highlight the importance of surveillance and an important missed opportunity for the scale up of programmes to achieve the goal of controlling HBV for public health benefit.