ANALYSIS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C UNDER WARTIME CONDITIONS IN UKRAINE

Introduction. The epidemic of viral hepatitis B and C remains a significant problem for Ukraine. According to data from the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, approximately 5% of the population is infected with viral hepatitis C, and 1.5% with viral hepatitis B. During the war in Ukraine, the number of people tested for viral hepatitis B and C has increased, but the impact of individual risks and detailed changes in the epidemiological situation in the country and regions remains unexplored. Objective. To analyze changes in the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis B and C in Ukraine and the Poltava region against the backdrop of military operations and to evaluate the effectiveness of testing. Methods. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of acute and chronic viral hepatitis B and C in Ukraine and the Poltava region for 2016-2024 was conducted. The study design was descriptive and analytical. Results. During 2023-2024, Ukraine saw a significant increase in the incidence of chronic hepatitis B to 4.0 per 100,000 population and chronic hepatitis C to 18.5 per 100,000 population in 2024, due to an increase in testing. The incidence of acute hepatitis B in Ukraine and the Poltava region was recorded at virtually the same levels and showed a similar trend – a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic and a slight increase after the start of military operations. The increase in the ratio of chronic to acute hepatitis B to 2.32:1 in Ukraine and 8.37:1 in the Poltava region in 2024 indicates an increase in the effectiveness of testing. According to data from primary healthcare centers in the Poltava region, in 2023 there was an increase in the number of tests for HBsAg and antibodies to HCV and an increase in the proportion of positive results – 2.35% for HBsAg tests and 3.97% for HCV antibody tests, while according to data from the infectious diseases inpatient department, the figures were 4.86% and 17.03%, respectively. Conclusions. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of chronic viral hepatitis B and C. There continues to be a significant prevalence of viral hepatitis C markers in the Ukrainian population compared to hepatitis B. The increase in the ratio of chronic hepatitis B to acute hepatitis B indicates an improvement in the effectiveness of population testing.