Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and treatment eligibility in Lesotho, Southern Africa: a population-based cross-sectional study with case-based follow-up.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

There is no data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence and treatment eligibility among the general population in Lesotho. We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection in a large-scale cross-sectional survey among the general population in Lesotho, assess determinants of seropositivity, and evaluate treatment eligibility according to the 2024 WHO guidelines.

Approach and results

We conducted a household-based, cross-sectional survey among participants≥10 years old in 120 randomly sampled village clusters in two districts. From participants screened positive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), we collected dried blood spots for HBV DNA measurement and referred the participants to health facilities for clinical assessment and treatment eligibility eval

SUBMITTER: Firima E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11816210 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature