Evaluation of Iraq’s National Plan to Control Hepatitis B Virus: Identifying Gaps and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health concern in Iraq, this study was to understand the temporal and demographic patterns of HBV infection incidence rates (IRs) in Iraq and to evaluate the effectiveness of the national plan to control of HBV in terms of vaccination coverage, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), blood safety, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design to analyze the descriptive epidemiology profile of HBV in Iraq. National-level data from 2015 to 2022 for different governorates. The evaluation phase focused on the Wasit governorate, which includes 24 primary health care centers (PHCCs). Statistical tests, included t tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests, were conducted using SPSS and Excel to identify significant patterns in the data. Results: The IRs of HBV decreased over the period. with higher rates among males and significant variations across governorates. IRs were highest among individuals aged 15-45 and over. The plan successfully achieved high vaccination coverage but faced challenges in diagnosing viral hepatitis B. The evaluation scores for PHCCs varied, 88% falling within the acceptable range. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of HBV in Iraq, highlighting declining IRs and significant demographic variations. Although there has been success in vaccination coverage, challenges persist in achieving viral hepatitis B diagnosis targets. The evaluation of PHCCs indicates areas for improvement in healthcare service delivery. These findings offer valuable insights for targeted interventions and policy adjustments, ultimately aiding in effectively controlling and preventing HBV in Iraq.