Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the Gambian population: A narrative review of recent developments

This study reviewed the recent trends in the epidemiological characteristics of HBV in the Gambia. The researchers conducted an online literature search for primary studies on HBV prevalence published in the past two decades from Jan 1992 to Feb 2022 inclusive on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. All retrieved studies were assessed for eligibility according to specific inclusion/exclusion criteria, data completeness, and methodological coherence. We found that HBV infection prevalence is above 8% in The Gambia. Moreover, HBV is the most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Gambia. Liver cirrhosis and HCC have the highest mortality contribution among hepatitis patients, with occult HBV carriers as major culprits. Also, vaccination coverage has declined from 91% to 88% according to reports from current literature. To achieve the WHO goal of eliminating HBV by 2030, policies targeting infection transmission control among risk groups, community awareness programs, research, price reduction of drugs, mass vaccinations, and diagnostics should be urgently instituted.PMID:37719791 | PMC:PMC10500481 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102401
Source: Cancer Control - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research