Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Virus Infection at the Ngoyo General Hospital, Republic of the Congo
Andrely Christ Ismael Nsadi
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and Ngoyo General Hospital, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Luc Magloire Anicet Boumba *
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the CongoNational Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo and Pointe-Noire Research Zone, National Institute for Health Research (IRSSA), Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
Ghislain Loubano-Voumbi
National Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Freddy Saturnin Pouki
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and National Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Aladin Atandi Batchy
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and National Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Azine Jeanisca Tounga
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and National Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
De Grace Yanick Kayi
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and National Institute of Biology and Health Surveillance (INBVS), Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Noblesse Prestina Miakoukila
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and Ngoyo General Hospital, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Ibara Kolo
Ngoyo General Hospital, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Louis Constant Mbele
Ngoyo General Hospital, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Alain Serge Bikindou
Ngoyo General Hospital, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Donatien Moukassa
Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and Brazzaville University Hospital (CHU-B), Republic of the Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hepatitis B remains one of the most widespread chronic viral infections and represents a major public health challenge worldwide. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and to identify associated risk factors in subjects admitted to the Ngoyo General Hospital in Pointe-Noire. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted from January 2022 to December 2025. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire, while HBsAg detection was performed by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software. A total of 1,237 patients were included, with a male predominance of 63.05% versus 36.90% females (sex ratio 1.70 ~2). The mean age was 36.72 ± 10.10 years (18 - 65 years). The most represented age group was 31 to 45 years, at 55.69%. The seroprevalence of HBV infection was 5.50%. Lack of vaccination against HBV was associated with a significant increase in the risk of infection (p = 0.033), as were a history of blood transfusion (p = 0.037) and multiple sexual partners (p = 0.038). After adjustment, a history of tattooing or scarification (p < 0.001) and drug use (p < 0.001) were independently associated with a lower probability of HBV infection. This study demonstrated the existence of risk factors related to the hepatitis B virus within the hospital population and contributes to strengthening awareness, regular clinical follow-up, and long-term management of patients infected with HBV.
Keywords: Seroprevalence, risk factors, Hepatitis B virus, HBV, HBsAg