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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Ten-year analysis of hepatitis B incidence in Iraq
Mohammed A Jalal1,2, Koorosh Etemad1, Manoochehr Karami1
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Background:
Hepatitis B virus infection is a major health concern globally, with regional and national variations that require context-specific analyses.
Aim:
To assess trends, including age- and gender-specific variations, of hepatitis B virus incidence in Iraq from 2012 to 2022.
Methods:
We analysed national surveillance data from 2012 to 2022 on confirmed hepatitis B virus cases among all age groups in Iraq. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate the annual percentage change and average annual percentage change in incidence.
Results:
Annual incidence decreased from 9.7 per 100 000 population in 2012 to 3.5 in 2022. Incidence was consistently higher among males, however, joinpoint regression showed a significant decrease in incidence among males (-13.8%) and females (-14.9%). The lowest decrease (-41.1%) occurred after 2017 among those aged 0-4 years. Incidence among the 5-14 years age group peaked in 2014 and decreased thereafter (-10.8%). Among individuals aged 15-44 years, incidence increased until 2016 and then decreased significantly (-18.9%). Among those aged >45, incidence increased until 2015 and then stabilised.
Conclusion:
Age- and gender-specific interventions are needed to strengthen hepatitis B prevention and control in Iraq.
