Retrospective Evaluation of Hepatitis B Prevalence and Viral Load Pattern among Patients in Mogadishu, Somalia

Background: Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection is characterized by acute and chronic illness, that often lead to liver cirrhosis, and death. In this study, we determined the proportion of patients with hepatitis B infection in Mogadishu and evaluated their hepatitis B viral DNA. Methods: A retrospective hospital-based descriptive study was conducted between July 2022 and October 2023 to collect data from all patients sent to the Dr. Sumait Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia for hepatitis B DNA detection and viral load determination. Results: Among the 406 patients studied in a clinical setting, 54.4% tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The cohort predominantly consisted of males (62.8%) and individuals aged 30-39 years (32.8%). Age and sex were significantly associated with HBV positivity, with higher odds observed in older age groups with a 2.62 times higher risk of infection (95%CI=1.447-4.750) for the individuals aged between 30-39 years old, 3.19 times greater (95%CI=1.671-6.114) for those age group between 40-49 years old, and 3.13 times greater (95%CI=1.670-5.870) for those age group above 50 years. It should be noted that these findings are based on a clinical cohort and therefore may not represent the prevalence of HBV in the general population. Conclusion: This study highlights a high proportion of HBV infection among clinical patients with known or suspected HBV infection in Mogadishu, with significant associations between age, sex, and infection risk. Further population-based studies are needed to assess the true burden of HBV in the general population in Somalia.