Sero-detection of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Ag among Drugs Upusers in Prisons by Using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) at Khartoum State

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a vaccine-preventable infection, remains one of the leading causes of acute and chronic liver diseases. The resulting cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were the main contributing factors to HBV burden. Hepatitis B is one of the main infectious diseases among people who use drugs (PWUD). There are several reasons why PWUD are considered more vulnerable to HBV. Needle sharing is one of the major routes of transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). Substance use contributes to other certain vulnerabilities, such as homelessness, incarceration and unsafe sexual contacts. In addition, this population has limited access to health services required for timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The Objective: To determine the prevalence of HBsAg among drug users in prison and assess associated risk factors. Methods and Materials: A case-control study was conducted in Kober and Al Huda prisons, Khartoum State, from May to August 2022. A total of 150 prisoners with a history of drug use were enrolled. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect HBsAg. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between infection status and risk factors such as needle sharing. Results: Among 150 drug users, 30 (20%) were HBsAg positive, while 120 (80%) were negative. The study found a significant association between needle sharing and HBsAg positivity (p = 0.003). The highest prevalence was among heroin users (8.0%) and those aged 30-50 years (13.3%). Males had a higher prevalence (15.3%) than females (4.7%), though this difference was not significant (p = 0.168). Conclusion: HBV prevalence among drug users is considerable. Strengthening harm reduction programs, promoting vaccination, and implementing regular screening in prisons are crucial to reducing HBV transmission.