PECULIARITIES OF PARENTERAL VIRAL HEPATITIS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Abstract

Background. Parenteral viral hepatitis remains a significant global health problem due to a heavy burden of the infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2022, an estimated 304 million people are living with
chronic hepatitis B and C, hepatitis causing 1.3 million deaths annually. Objective. To determine the epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis B and C in the Republic of Belarus. Material and methods. The incidence of hepatitis B in the population of the Republic of Belarus was assessed using data from state and departmental statistical reporting forms as well as using epidemiological diagnostic methods: retrospective epidemiological analysis, descriptive and evaluative methods, and statistical methods. Results. The long-term dynamics of the incidence over the period of 1996-2024 is characterized by a moderate downward trend in the overall incidence rate of all nosological forms of PVH, with a rate of Tdec = -3.89% per year (p≤0.05). Hepatitis C predominates in the nosological structure of parenteral viral hepatitis, accounting for 78.00% of cases in the overall structure of all forms of parenteral viral hepatitis over the past 5 years. Since 2022, chronic hepatitis C has accounted for more than 70% of cases in the overall structure of all forms of parenteral viral hepatitis. Over the past 5 years, sexual transmission of both hepatitis B and hepatitis C has become dominant, accounting for more than 50% of the transmission routes. Moreover, this route of transmission is the most significant for the 30-59-year-old age cohort. More than 97% of parenteral viral hepatitis cases occur in individuals over 15 years of age, more than 50% being individuals aged 30-59 years, and since 2018, this proportion has exceeded 70% (73.09%; 95% CI: 72.57–73.62), p<0.05. The dynamics of the parenteral viral hepatitis epidemic process, with an overall rate of decline of -19.57% per year (p≤0.05), has been influenced by routine vaccination of newborns since 2000, the implementation of sanitary, antiepidemic, and non-specific preventive measures, and changes in the structure of morbidity. Conclusion. In the long-term dynamics of incidence over the period of 1996-2024, a moderate downward trend in the overall incidence rate of all nosological forms of parenteral viral hepatitis has been observed, with a rate of Tdec = -3.89% per year (p≤0.05). The identified epidemiological characteristics of PVH urge the epidemiological monitoring to refocus on adult risk groups while maintaining mandatory screening coverage for adolescents to ensure the timely detection of chronic and latent forms of infection.