Factors affecting quality of life in hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan: A case-control study

Hepatitis B virus is a global health concern with a high death rate in Afghanistan. Limited data exist on the disease's impact on quality of life in low-resource settings. This case-control study aims to identify potential risk factors and assess the quality of life among hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan, with a focus on sex differences. Understanding these factors can inform prevention, care, and sex-specific interventions. A cross-sectional study conducted at Herat Regional Hospital examined hepatitis B patients above 18 years old, between October 2020 and February 2021. The control group consisted of age and sex-matched individuals without a history of hepatitis B. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, and the SF-36 questionnaire for measuring the quality of life of study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate General Linear Models, and logistic regression. We identified several potential risk factors for hepatitis B infection, including male sex, younger age groups, tobacco use, lower education levels, rural residence, family history, weak social networks, specific family structures and underlying chronic diseases (p < .05). The study found that hepatitis B cases had significantly lower mean scores across all SF-36 components, indicating an overall reduced quality of life (p < .05). These differences were more pronounced in males, although females had lower scores in most components. Role limitations due to physical and emotional health were particularly affected. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, sex-specific strategies, improved healthcare access and comprehensive policies. These findings can inform prevention efforts to improve the overall quality of life of people with hepatitis B in Afghanistan.

DISTRIBUTION OF HEPATITIS B INFECTED POPULATION BY SEX AND AGE GROUPS IN DISTRICT D.I.KHAN, PAKISTAN

Background: Significant morbidity and mortality is caused by untreated hepatitis B virus infection through cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The objectives of our study were to determine distribution of hepatitis B infected population by sex and age groups in District D.I.Khan, Pakistan.Materials Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at District Health Office, D.I.Khan, Pakistan from January 30, 2021 to February 15, 2021. Data was collected for period from March 14, 2013 to January 28, 2021 for 2368 hepatitis B infected cases from population at risk consecutively. Sex and age groups were demographic variables. Data type was nominal for sex and ordinal for age groups. Distribution was analyzed by count, percentage and confidence intervals for proportion for population. Hypotheses for distribution were substantiated by chi-square goodness-of-fit test.Results: Out of 2368 hepatitis B infected population, 1670 (70.52%) were men 698(29.48%) women, and 562 (23.73%) were in age group 0-20 years, 1266 (53.46%) in 21-40 years, 462 (19.51%) in 41-60 years 78 (3.30%) in 60 years. Our distribution by sex (p.00001) and age groups (p.00001) were different than expected respectively.Conclusion: In our study, hepatitis B infection was more common in men than women and most common in age group 21-40 years, followed by 0-20 years, 41-60 years and 60 years. Our observed prevalence of hepatitis B infection in men was higher than expected in women it was lower than expected. Our observed prevalence in the four age groups was not similar to expected.