Hepatitis B among University Population: Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, Knowledge Assessment, and Treatment Management

Viruses. 2022 Aug 31;14(9):1936. doi: 10.3390/v14091936.

Abstract

Background: Very few studies have been reported on hepatitis B in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, and none of them are specific to the prevalence and causes of hepatitis B spread among educational institutes. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B infection and its associated risk factors among the University of AJ and K population. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted with 7015 students and employees. Hepatitis B was detected by rapid immunochromatographic tests (ICTs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative PCR. A questionnaire and interview method was used to assess the disease knowledge and associated risk factors with hepatitis B through Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and paired t-test. Results: Of the participants, 150 (2.13%) were found positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (57.3% male and 42.7% female). Only 0.3% participants were found fully vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. Among ethnic groups, the Syed tribe was found more prevalent for hepatitis B infection (40.6%), while use of contaminated mourning blades (95% CI: p = 0.0001) was found as an overlooked risk factor. Hepatitis preventive awareness sessions were found to be very significant (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The study showed that an overlooked risk factor is playing a key role in the spread of HBV in a tribe living worldwide, which must be addressed globally to eradicate hepatitis B. In Pakistan, a country-wide annual HBV vaccination program should be launched to control hepatitis B.

Keywords: HBV-associated risk factors; Pakistan; hepatitis B among university students and employees; hepatitis B in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; mourning blades; prevalence of hepatitis B; preventive knowledge of HBV.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens*
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Hepatitis B* / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Universities

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Grants and funding

This research was funded by RAHMA ISLAMIC RELIEF PAKISTAN (https://rahmapk.org/ accessed on 3 August 2022), grant number 15RAH1015SATH, for the provision of blood screening facilities such as ICT and ELISA testing. The Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad supported the conduction of screening camps, blood sampling, and awareness dissemination. The authors would like to thanks the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University for supporting this work by grant code: 22UQU4331312DSR04.