Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40131963›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among healthcare workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Leykun Berhanu, Belay Desye, Chala Daba, Gete Berihun, Abebe Kassa Geto

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Leykun BerhanuDepartment of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2998-0917
Belay DesyeDepartment of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Chala DabaDepartment of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4906-9610
Gete BerihunDepartment of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Abebe Kassa GetoDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2663-2204

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealthcare workers are at an increased risk of hepatitis B virus infection due to potential exposure to blood and other infectious materials. The infection can lead to acute liver disease and chronic liver complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. It can impact workforce health, leading to absenteeism, and increased healthcare costs. Hence, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of the hepatitis B virus among healthcare workers in Africa. MATERIALS AND

methodsThe protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42024556654. Literatures were searched from PubMed, Science Direct, HINARI, African Online Journal, Google Scholar, Google, Semantic Scholar, and Directory of Open Access Journals using relevant search terms. The process of searching relevant articles was completed on 1 August 2024. Studies with a quality evaluation indicator score of 50% or above were included in this study. The random effect model was used to measure the pooled seroprevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus infection among healthcare workers in Africa. The finding of the meta-analysis was presented using forest plots with a 95% confidence interval.

resultAmong 26 studies selected for meta-analysis, 6983 participants were included. The inclusion of 26 studies showed that the pooled prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among healthcare workers was 17.2% (95% CI: 8.36, 26.04). Healthcare workers diagnosed with liver disease were 5.01 times more likely to having hepatitis B virus infection compared to those who were not diagnosed (POR = 5.01: 95% CI; 2.25,7.77). In addition, healthcare workers who did not receive technical training were 2.70 times more likely to having HBV infection than those who received training (POR = 2.70:95% CI; 1.10, 4.30). Furthermore, healthcare workers aged 40 years and above were 2.53 times more likely to having hepatitis B virus infection than young healthcare workers (POR = 2.53: 95% CI; 1.29,3.77).

conclusionThe pooled prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was high. Previously diagnosed liver diseases, the absence of technical training, and the age of healthcare workers were the factors influencing the pooled prevalence of HBV infection among healthcare workers. Hence, providing appropriate medical follow-up for healthcare workers diagnosed with liver disease, comprehensive training and education, and early detection and diagnosis of healthcare workers aged 40 years and above are the most important interventions to prevent the risk of hepatitis B virus infection.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelHepatitis BHepatitis B virusAfricaHumansRisk FactorsSeroepidemiologic Studies

Identifiers

PMID40131963
PMCPMC11936272

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.