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. 2024 Sep 24;16(9):e70112.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.70112. eCollection 2024 Sep.

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B and C Virus in Hemodialysis Patients in Ibb Governorate, Yemen

Radwan H Ahmed  1 , Nada Al-Nagar  1 , Ibrahim Al-Subol  1 , Rehab Al-Wahbi  1 , Manar Al-Sabahi  1 , Mohamed Al-Sabahi  2   1 , Khaled Al-Sabahi  2 , Asmaa Shomasi  1 , Abdulmalik Al-Hamodi  3
Affiliations

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B and C Virus in Hemodialysis Patients in Ibb Governorate, Yemen

Radwan H Ahmed et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) remain a major public health problem. However, information is limited about these infections among HD patients in Yemen. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV infections among HD patients in the Ibb governorate, Yemen, and to identify the risk factors for infections in such patients. Methods A cross-sectional study of 374 patients with renal failure who regularly underwent HD at the Al-Thawra Hospital in Ibb city, Yemen, was performed after they agreed to participate and signed informed consent. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to test the serum levels of anti-HCV antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Patient data (demographic characteristics and risk factors) were collected via an interview questionnaire and medical records. Logistic regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to analyze the results. Results The overall prevalence of HCV was 31% (n=116), whereas that of HBV was 6.15% (n=23). Three (0.8%) patients had both HCV and HBV. The logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between an increased number of units of blood transfused (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7-5.6; p < 0.001), a long duration of dialysis (OR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.9-5.2; p = 0.001), and HCV infection in HD patients. On the other hand, a history of cupping therapy (Hijama) was significantly associated (OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.3-8.77; p < 0.011) with HBV infection in HD patients. Conclusion HCV and HBV infections are more common among HD patients in Yemen than in most Middle Eastern countries. However, the current prevalence rates are declining compared with previously published data among Yemeni HD patients. The duration of HD and number of blood units were independent risk factors for HCV infection, and patients with a history of cupping were identified as having an increased risk of HBV infection. These findings underscore the need to implement strict infection control in HD units.

Keywords: hbv; hcv; hemodialysis; viral infection; yemen.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Research and Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Sana’a, Yemen issued approval 1446/0020/UREC/UST. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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