Seroprevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and D Viruses in Mauritania: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mauritania has a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV), posing a major public health burden. A comprehensive analysis of seroprevalence, transmission dynamics, and molecular epidemiology would help inform strategies for public health interventions. This study systematically reviews the published literature in the field between 1983 and 2024, employing PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Where insufficient data were available for meta-analyses on specific inquiries, summative descriptions were included. Eight studies involving 19,781 participants were included. The pooled HBsAg seroprevalence was 15.2% (95% CI: 12.8%–18.0%; I2 = 91.9%; p < 0.0001) by meta-analysis. Among HBV-exposed individuals, male sex, lower education levels, and certain occupations were more commonly observed. Genotype D dominated HBV strains (50%), followed by E (36.2%), A (12%), and G (0.5%). Among 1739 HBsAg-positive individuals from five studies, the seroprevalence of anti-HDV antibodies was 21.2% (95% CI, 14.7%—29.4%; I2 = 94.1%; p < 0.0001), with HDV-RNA detectable in 52.0% of cases. Occupation and geographic location were more commonly observed among HDV-infected individuals. HDV-1 was the predominant genotype (89.3%), followed by HDV-5 (10.7%). Given the dual epidemic of HBV and HDV faced by Mauritania, targeted public health strategies will be needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis outlines some of the known epidemiology, both molecular and social, to aid the focus of public health programs.