Abstract:
Viral hepatitis B represents a real public health problem worldwide, due to its potential
to lead to serious complications such as fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The
aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus in the Ghardaïa region, and
to identify the risk factors associated with its spread. A retrospective study was carried out on
patient files extracted from the archives of the Direction de la Santé et de la Population and the
Centre de Transfusion Sanguine de la wilaya de Ghardaïa, over a three-year period: 2022, 2023
and 2024. In addition, a prospective study was also carried out in the form of a questionnaire
distributed to people who had undergone HBV screening, blood donors and pregnant women
over a period of 3 months (from February 1 to April 30, 2025). The ELISA enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay is the basic technique for diagnosing this disease. The results of the study
show that patients aged between 20 and 44 are the most affected by the hepatitis B virus, with
a predominance of males (56.21%). The main risk factors associated with transmission of the
virus include lack of vaccination (81.82%), dental care (70%), hijama (60%), sharing personal
objects (36.36%) and surgical history (18.18%).
