Prevalence and viral suppression of hepatitis B virus infection among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Sierra Leone.

Objective: Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions with the highest burdens of HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV), but data on the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on HBV DNA suppression is limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among people living with HIV, and assess the suppression of ART on HBV replication in people living with HIV in Sierra Leone.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to recruit people living with HIV aged 18 years or older in ten public hospitals in Sierra Leone between August 2022 and January 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using R software. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors independently associated with positive HBsAg and HBV DNA suppression.

Results: Of the 3106 people living with HIV recruited in this study, 2311 (74.4%) were women. The median age was 36 years, 166 (5.3%) had serological evidence of HBV vaccination. The overall prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 12.0% (95% CI: 10.9% to 13.2%). Male sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.11, 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.68; p<0.001) and being separated (aOR 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06 to 3.16, p=0.031; reference group: being married) were independent predictors of HBsAg seropositivity. Among 331 people living with HIV and HBV receiving ART, 242 (73.1%) achieved HBV DNA suppression (below 20 IU/mL). HBV suppression rate was higher in HIV-virally suppressed patients than those with unsuppressed HIV viral load (p<0.001). In addition, the male sex was more likely to have unsuppressed HBV DNA (aOR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.21; p=0.010).

Conclusions: We reported a high prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity and low HBV immunisation coverage in people living with HIV in Sierra Leone. In addition, we observed that ART can efficiently result in a viral suppression rate of HBV infection. Therefore, achieving the global target of eliminating HBV infection by 2030 requires accelerated access to care for people living with HIV and HBV, including HBV testing, antiviral treatment and hepatitis B vaccination.