Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Hemodialysis Patients in Mukalla City, Hadhramout, Yemen

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk of infection with blood transfusion viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic infections with HBV and HCV may lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Objective: The present work was aimed to screen the seroprevalence rate and risk factors of HBV and HCV infections among HD patients attending the Artificial Kidney Center in Mukalla city, Hadhramout Governorate, Yemen.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 110 HD patients (73 males and 37 females) in the period from January to March 2024. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV were detected using the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay technique. The data concerning risk factors were collected using a designed questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS software.
Results: In our study, 6(5.5%) of HD patients were HBsAg positive and 8(7.3%) were anti-HCV positive. There was statistically significant correlation between the age groups and educational level with the prevalence rate of HBV (P < 0.05). Analysis of other risk factors in HD patients with HBV and HCV infections of variables the blood transfusion during hemodialysis, previous operational surgery, number of hemodialysis more than 3 times per month, duration of hemodialysis 1-5 years, and unvaccinated patients against HBV don't showed any statistically significant associations.
Conclusion: The present study showed a reduction in the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HD patients, but represents a serious community health problem to become a nosocomial infection in the Artificial Kidney Center in Mukalla city, Hadhramout. So, proper and effective procedures for infection control may be reduce and prevent viral hepatitis infections.