Hepatitis B virus prevalence in first?time blood donors in Flanders, Belgium: Impact of universal vaccination and migration

Background Transfusion-transmissible infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) remain a major concern for the safety of blood transfusion. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess trend HBV prevalence and associated risk factors among first-time donor population in low endemic country. Study Design Methods Between 2010 2018, samples were collected from donors presented at collection sites Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. They tested surface antigen (HBsAg), core antibodies (anti-HBc), DNA, HIV C (HCV) RNA, syphilis antibodies. Results A total 211,331 (43.7% males, median age 25 years) analyzed. HBsAg decreased 0.06% 0.05% 2018 (p = .004) this declining was accompanied by an increased number vaccinated birth cohort < .001). 0.33% foreign-born 0.02% natives Multivariate profiling showed that anti-HBc positivity significantly with mainly (odds ratio [OR] 9.24) but also older (OR 1.06), male gender 1.32), year donation 0.94), co-infections HCV 4.31) or 4.91). Discussion The decreasing could be explained introduction universal vaccination. Being born areas most important predictor infection while suggest unreported sexual contacts.