Hepatitis B virus infection and its treatment in Eastern Ethiopia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes acute and chronic hepatitis, compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The actual status of HBV infection and its treatment in certain regions of Asian and African countries, including Ethiopia, has not been well-documented thus far. Antiviral therapy for HBV infection can prevent the progression of HBV-related liver diseases and decrease the HBV-related symptoms, such as abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms and others. In Eastern Ethiopia, HBV-infected patients with cirrhosis were found to be positive for the HBV e antigen and to have a higher viral load than those without cirrhosis. Notably, 54.4% of patients practiced khat chewing and 18.1% consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate effectively suppressed HBV DNA in those infected with HBV. It is important to elucidate the actual status of HBV infection in Eastern Ethiopia to eliminate HBV infection worldwide by 2030. HBV vaccination and the educational programs for Health Science students that provide practical strategies could help to reduce HBV infection in Eastern Ethiopia.