Review on Determinants of Hepatitis B Viral Antigens and Antibodies among HBV Positive Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a viral infection which can be deadly if not treated, supervised and managed properly. It accounts for the majority of death cases in Sub-Saharan Africa. Policy makers and Governmental institutions need to be informed in order to help in the management of the disease which will thereby decrease death toll. This review was undertaken to identify the determinants of Hepatitis b viral antigens and antibodies among Hepatitis B positive patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. Google Scholar database site was searched from February 3rd to February 7th 2023 for peer-reviewed papers on causes of Hepatitis B viral load in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 17 articles were retrieved from the web database which included 12 countries which reported outcomes of 9,682 patients mostly 50.93% (4,931) females and 49.07% (4,751) males. More than half of the participants were co-infected with HIV and mostly were pregnant or had Chronic Hepatitis b. Males were mostly seen to have elevated levels of Hepatitis B viral load than Females. Attitudes such as poor adherence and alcohol consumption were seen to be contributing determinant of hepatitis b viral load. Hepatitis B Genotype E was found to have high viral loads than other genotypes. It is important to do routine screening of hepatitis B genotype and viral load test which can help in management and reduce risk of having chronic liver damage and cancer. Governmental institutions and policy makers should provide programs that will guide patients in adhering to anti-viral drugs intake and having a good lifestyle.