Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B is the world's most common serious liver infection. It is caused by the
hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year, up to 1 million people die from
hepatitis B, even though it is preventable and treatable. WHO global hepatitis strategy, endorsed
by all WHO Member States, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65%
between 2016 and 2030 among high-risk groups like prisoners, commercial sex workers, and
homosexual behaviors.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, assess liver status
using liver enzyme tests and APRI scores, and identify associated factors among prisoners at Arba
Minch town, South Ethiopia, from February to April 2024.
Methods: A cross-sectional institution-based study was conducted on prisoners at Arba-Minch
town from February 1 to April 2024. Sociodemographic, medical, and institution-related data
were collected using a mobile data collection tool, Kobo Toolbox, and the data were imported into
STATA version 17 for further analysis. Venous blood was collected from participants and analyzed
for HBsAg, complete blood count, and liver enzymes. Univariate and multivariate logistic
regression analysis assessed the association between the independent and outcome variables. The
strength of association from the logistic regression was assessed using odds ratios (ORs) with a
95% confidence interval (CI), and statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05.
Result: A total of 922 inmates participated in the study, of whom 849 (92.08%) were male and 73
(7.92%) were female. The mean age was 31.9 years (±10.74SD), and the median age was 29 years
(IQR 24-37). The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg was 2.82%. The majority of hepatitis B-positive
participants were male, and ALT and AST can show elevation. Body piercing (AOR: 2.90, 95%
CI: 1.13-7.43, p=0.026) and having multiple sexual partners (AOR: 12.56, 95% CI: 4.57-34.50,
p=0.001 were significantly associated with HBsAg. About 27% of individuals suggested they
would be eligible for antiviral medication according to standard clinical guideline.
Recommendation: recommended that the government should start HBV vaccination campaigns,
begin with mass vaccination, and implement a national immunization program and Arba-minch
town prison can screen prison when before mixing with previous prisoners and separate prisoners
to limit contact with each other in rooms and health education must give for those prisoners about
hepatitis B virus transmission
Conclusion Body piercing and having multiple sexual partners were significant factors associated
with the hepatitis B virus infection. Abnormal elevation of ALT and AST levels show elevation and
one-third of the study population who tested positive for HBsAg were eligible for anti-viral
treatment based on APRI scores
