Seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among secondary school students in Jiblah town, Yemen

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses remain a major public health problem in Yemen, although their Seroprevalence among different population groups remains limited. However, information on these infections among secondary school students in Yemen is still scarce. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV and their associated risk factors among secondary school students in Jiblah Town, Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 secondary school students in Jiblah town, Yemen. Serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies using a rapid assay. Positive results were confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from the target sample. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the results. The overall seroprevalence of HBV was 1(1%), while the seroprevalence of HCV was4 (4%). Statistically significant association was found between HCV infection and the gender of the participants. This study highlighted the need to expand hepatitis B immunization coverage in the study area. It also revealed a moderate risk of hepatitis C infection. Therefore, educational campaigns should be implemented to raise students’ awareness of the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis and its risk determinants.