Prevalence of hepatitis B in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis

TL;DR

This study analyzed hepatitis B prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean, finding that while overall rates have decreased, certain groups like indigenous people and those with HIV still have high rates.

Contribution

The study provides the first comprehensive meta-analysis of HBV prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting disparities among subpopulations.

Findings

The global HBV prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean is estimated at 1.0%.

Indigenous populations and HIV-infected individuals show significantly higher HBV prevalence.

HBV prevalence has decreased over time, but risk subgroups remain at high risk.

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a health threat with regional variations in prevalence. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data on the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). A literature search was conducted from 2000 to 2024 using the databases Medline, Embase, LILACS and Web of Science, following PRISMA guideline. Search terms included: “hepatitis B virus”, “HBsAg”, “HBV”, “prevalence”, and “Latin America and the Caribbean”. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of HBV (HBsAg), and the I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity between studies. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to investigate possible sources of heterogeneity. In total, 190 studies were included in the analysis and the estimated global prevalence of HBV was 1.0% (95% CI: 1.0%-1.0%). In population subgroup analyses, the prevalence in general population was 1.0%, indigenous people was 6.0%, HIV-infected individuals was 5.0%, and inmates was 1.0%. The prevalence found was 2.0% in the period of 2000–2008, 1.0% in 2009–2016, and 1.0% in 2017–2024. The prevalence trends over time in the general population, indigenous people, HIV-infected individuals and inmate subgroups were 1.0%, 11.0%, 6.0% and 12.0% in the period of 2000–2008, 1.0%, 4.0%, 3.0% and 0.0% in 2009–2016, and 1.0%, 5.0%, 8.0% and 0.1% in 2017–2024, respectively. In LAC, HBV prevalence decreases over time, but risk subgroups stand out with elevated prevalence, such as indigenous people and HIV-infected individuals. Strategies to expand testing, treatment and vaccination with a focus on these subgroups may be relevant to reduce the prevalence of HBV.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00705-026-06562-z.

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