Trends in active hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among blood donor candidates from Luanda, Angola

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health concern with a high burden in the African region. Assessing trends in HBV infection over time can provide insights into the effectiveness of prevention/treatment strategies in different settings. Herein, we investigate trends in active HBV infection and associated risk factors among blood donor candidates from Luanda, Angola. This was a retrospective study conducted with 96,654 medical records of blood donors consulted between 2018 and 2022 at the Angolan National Blood Institute. Participants were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Chi-square, Prevalence Ratio, and logistic regression were used to analyse interactions between demographic variables and were deemed significant when p < 0.05. Active HBV infection was 10% (95% CI: 9.4–10.6). Men (AOR: 1.38, p < 0.001), employed (AOR: 3.25, p < 0.001) and non-urbanised regions (AOR: 1.16, p = 0.019), were more likely to contract the HBV, while aged 30 years or older (AOR: 0.78, p < 0.001) and married (AOR: 0.66, p < 0.001), were less likely to contract the infection. From 2018 to 2022, HBV infections increased from 18.2 to 21.9%. Infections increased in under 30 years (31.3–52.5%, p < 0.001), males (91.1 to 91.8%, p = 0.149), urbanised regions (2.7 to 3.3%, p = 0.538), and unmarried (93.9 to 95.8%, p = 0.019). We revealed a highly active HBV infection over the past 5 years in the adult population of Luanda, Angola. Age, gender, occupation, place of residence and marital status have influenced the dissemination of HBV in Angola. Our findings may facilitate the planning and evaluation of the HBV control program in Angola.