Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among students living on campus in South-eastern Gabon

The Hepatitis B-virus is the etiological agent of an infection that affects liver functions and potentially causes disorders. Approximately, 300 million people are living with acute or chronic HBV-infections worldwide, and only a fraction of them have access to medical care. The sub-Saharan African (SSA) regions house around 80 million of reported infection cases, and certain SSA-groups like pregnant women and drug-addict are among the most vulnerable. In as much as there is insufficient national data on young adult groups, this study aims to determine HBV-prevalence and associated factors of infections within a student population in the Southeastern part of Gabon. A university-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Gabonese students from March to July 2023. Laboratory assessment of HBV-markers was done to estimate infection status of on-campus students. Furthermore, chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine association between variables. With an infection sero-prevalence rate of 5.6% from a total of 462 participants, mostly undergraduates, 26- and 184-samples tested positive for HBsAg- and Anti-HBc-markers, respectively. Viral loads were then detected for 13 of those positive for HBsAg-markers. Several factors were associated with having Anti-HBc markers, whereas the use of condom was determinant in acquiring HBsAg-markers. The odds of having contact with HBsAg-markers were significant with regular alcohol consumption. While the odds of having Anti-HBc-markers were significantly increased in older students, in those sharing shaped materials (2-folds), and even higher in those having HBV-family history (6-folds). This screening effort demonstrated that HBV is circulating among Gabonese students and highlighted possible associated factors. Preventive measures should be elaborated including mass screening to identify and treat HBV-carriers, raising awareness on the necessity of adopting safe behaviors and lifestyles among other learners and young adults living on- and off-campus.