Hepatitis B among hospital nurses worldwide: a meta-analysis of seroprevalence studies.
VaccineAug 7, 2026 (epub)
Fang Li, Jiateng Wang, Wenqing Zhang
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis assessed the global seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among hospital nurses, analyzing data from 46 studies involving 11,524 nurses. The overall HBsAg prevalence was found to be 3.2%, with the highest rates in Africa (5.6%) and significantly lower in Europe (1.5%).
Key findings
- Global pooled HBsAg prevalence among hospital nurses was 3.2% (95% CI 2.3-4.4).
- Prevalence was highest in Africa at 5.6% (95% CI 4.1-7.3) and lowest in Europe at 1.5% (95% CI 0.4-3.0).
- Nurses in low- and middle-income countries had a significantly higher prevalence of 3.6% compared to 0.8% in high-income countries.
- An inverse correlation was found between full vaccination coverage and HBsAg positivity (coefficient -0.0028; p < 0.001).
Why it matters
Understanding the seroprevalence of HBV among hospital nurses is crucial for developing targeted vaccination and prevention strategies, particularly in regions with higher prevalence rates. This knowledge can help mitigate occupational risks and improve public health outcomes.