Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and associated factors among blood donors in Hossana blood bank catchment area, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Human hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver brought on by the DNA virus known as the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Around the world, 240 million people are thought to have HBV in a chronic state. The prevalence of viral hepatitis is extremely high in Africa. Prior reports from various regions of the nation have indicated a variable prevalence of HBV infection.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of HBV infections and associated factors among blood donors in the Hossana blood bank catchment area in August 2023.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 546 blood donors in the Hossana blood bank catchment area from August 22 to September 22, 2023. Study participants were included using the system established by the blood bank. Both Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. The association of variables was declared at p-value < 0.05 and strength of association was presented using AOR with a corresponding 95% CI. The adequacy of the model was checked by Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

Results: a total of 546 participant's data was analyzed. The prevalence of HBV among blood donors in the Hossana blood bank catchment area was 7.88 with 95% CI [5.76-10.46]. No participants received post-donation counseling. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 5.18, 95% CI: 1.32-20.36), Sharing of sharp material (AOR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.32-10.13) and tooth extraction (AOR = 5.55, 95% CI: 2.08-14.78) were identified as factors associated with HBV positivity.

Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus was 7.88, which is intermediate. Multiple sexual partners, sharing of sharp material, and tooth extraction were related to the hepatitis b virus. Though post-donation counseling is important for the control and prevention of hepatitis b virus infection, it has been neglected since the establishment of the blood bank we strongly recommend counseling regular donors.

Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable.