Who Gets Tested for Hepatitis B in Nigeria? A Spatial and Socio-Demographic Analysis Using the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
1
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nigeria carries a substantial burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, yet population-level evidence on HBV testing remains limited. Achieving the World Health Organisation’s hepatitis elimination targets hinges on expanding equitable access to testing and early diagnosis. Understanding who has been tested for HBV, and where testing is geographically concentrated or lacking, is critical for designing targeted public health interventions.
METHODS:
We analysed data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), a nationally representative survey. The analytic sample comprised 26,704 respondents, including women aged 15–49 years and men aged 15–59 years. HBV testing was defined as self-reported ever having been tested for hepatitis B in the pst 12 months. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were used to examine testing prevalence across sociodemographic groups. Multivariable logistic regression models identified factors independently associated with HBV testing. Spatial analyses were conducted to assess geographic clustering and to identify hotspots and cold spots of HBV testing across Nigeria.
RESULTS:
Overall, only 12.9% (95% CI: 12.14–13.63) of respondents reported ever being tested for HBV, indicating very low population-level coverage. Females had higher odds of HBV testing than males (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.11–1.43). Testing uptake increased with age and was strongly patterned by education, with progressively higher odds observed among individuals with primary, secondary, and higher education compared with those with no formal schooling. Ever-married, wealthier, and currently employed individuals were also more likely to have been tested. Spatial analysis revealed pronounced geographic inequalities: HBV testing hotspots were concentrated in the North Central, North East, and North West zones, while persistent cold spots were observed in the South South, South East, and South West zones.
CONCLUSIONS:
HBV testing in Nigeria remains alarmingly low and unequally distributed across sociodemographic and geographic lines. Targeted, equity-focused strategies, particularly in identified cold-spot regions, are urgently
Nigeria carries a substantial burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, yet population-level evidence on HBV testing remains limited. Achieving the World Health Organisation’s hepatitis elimination targets hinges on expanding equitable access to testing and early diagnosis. Understanding who has been tested for HBV, and where testing is geographically concentrated or lacking, is critical for designing targeted public health interventions.
METHODS:
We analysed data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), a nationally representative survey. The analytic sample comprised 26,704 respondents, including women aged 15–49 years and men aged 15–59 years. HBV testing was defined as self-reported ever having been tested for hepatitis B in the pst 12 months. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were used to examine testing prevalence across sociodemographic groups. Multivariable logistic regression models identified factors independently associated with HBV testing. Spatial analyses were conducted to assess geographic clustering and to identify hotspots and cold spots of HBV testing across Nigeria.
RESULTS:
Overall, only 12.9% (95% CI: 12.14–13.63) of respondents reported ever being tested for HBV, indicating very low population-level coverage. Females had higher odds of HBV testing than males (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.11–1.43). Testing uptake increased with age and was strongly patterned by education, with progressively higher odds observed among individuals with primary, secondary, and higher education compared with those with no formal schooling. Ever-married, wealthier, and currently employed individuals were also more likely to have been tested. Spatial analysis revealed pronounced geographic inequalities: HBV testing hotspots were concentrated in the North Central, North East, and North West zones, while persistent cold spots were observed in the South South, South East, and South West zones.
CONCLUSIONS:
HBV testing in Nigeria remains alarmingly low and unequally distributed across sociodemographic and geographic lines. Targeted, equity-focused strategies, particularly in identified cold-spot regions, are urgently
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
