Seroprevalence, Molecular Genotypes, and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Commercial Intravenous Drug Users

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 15, No. 7, July 2025 | pp. 49–56

DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJMMS/150049

Original Research Article

Seroprevalence, Molecular Genotypes, and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Commercial Intravenous Drug Users

Patrick O. Diallo¹, Cynthia U. Nwachukwu², Jean-Pierre B. Diop¹*

¹Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal.

²Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Intravenous drug users (IDUs) face high risks for blood-borne viral infections due to needle-sharing practices, driving community transmissions. This cross-sectional epidemiological study investigated the seroprevalence, specific sub-genotypic distributions, and risk factors of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection among commercial intravenous drug users in urban settings. Blood samples from 350 IDUs were screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) using a third-generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and positive samples were analyzed via real-time PCR for genotypic characterization. Structured questionnaires captured demographic data and injection risk behaviors. The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg in this cohort was 18.3% (64/350). Active HBV replication (HBV DNA positivity) was confirmed in 78.1% (50/64) of the seropositive individuals. Genotypic mapping revealed that genotype E predominated at 68.0% (34/50), followed by genotype A at 22.0% (11/50) and genotype D at 10.0% (5/50). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several independent risk factors associated with HBV seropositivity: a history of sharing needles or syringes (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.9–7.6, p < 0.001), a duration of intravenous drug use > 3 years (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.4–5.9, p < 0.01), and a concurrent history of commercial sex work (OR = 2.4, p < 0.05). HBV genotype E infection is common among intravenous drug users, reflecting a high burden of behavioral risk factors. Expanding targeted community harm-reduction programs, implementing needle-exchange initiatives, and providing free HBV vaccination campaigns are critical interventions.

Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus, Intravenous Drug Users, Seroprevalence, Genotype E, Needle-Sharing, Harm Reduction

Manuscript Timeline: Received: April 10, 2025; Revised: May 18, 2025; Accepted: June 12, 2025; Published: July 15, 2025.

Citation: Diallo PO, Nwachukwu CU, Diop JPB. Seroprevalence, Molecular Genotypes, and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Commercial Intravenous Drug Users. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2025, 15(7): 49–56. DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJMMS/150049

Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read