BURDEN OF HEPATITIS B AND C AND COMPLICATIONS OF THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY FORMATION

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11603/1681-2786.2025.3.15640

Keywords:

chronic hepatitis B; chronic hepatitis C; portal hypertension; esophageal varices; gastrointestinal bleeding; mortality; epidemiology; disease burden; public health policy.

Abstract

Purpose: to identify the patterns of hepatitis B and C prevalence and associated upper gastrointestinal complications in order to quantitatively assess the disease burden and to develop evidence-based approaches for optimizing public health policy. Materials and Methods. This study is a retrospective descriptive-analytical investigation based on the analysis of hepatitis B and C incidence rates, as well as associated upper gastrointestinal complications, over the period 2015–2024. Information sources included official reporting data from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MoH), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), statistical materials from the Public Health Center of the MoH of Ukraine, and scientific publications reflecting current trends in diagnostics, treatment methods, recommendations, and the clinical course of chronic viral hepatitis. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, and correlation analysis were used to identify associations between viral hepatitis, the resulting public health burden, and the frequency of gastroenterological complications of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Results. The study results demonstrated an increasing trend in chronic hepatitis B and C, the frequency of upper gastrointestinal complications, and mortality from bleeding due to esophageal varices, with examples of incidence and mortality indicators in Ukraine and worldwide. Conclusions. To effectively reduce the burden of hepatitis B and C and associated upper gastrointestinal complications, it is necessary to improve screening, early detection of viral carriage, integration of gastroenterological, infectious disease, and social care, conduct audits, and incorporate the obtained data into national programs. Expanding hepatitis B vaccination coverage and ensuring access to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C are also essential. Comprehensive national programs aligned with the WHO global strategy are required to decrease the burden of these infections.

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Published

2025-10-20

How to Cite

Marchak, V. V., & Kopcha, V. S. (2025). BURDEN OF HEPATITIS B AND C AND COMPLICATIONS OF THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY FORMATION. Bulletin of Social Hygiene and Health Protection Organization of Ukraine, (3), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.11603/1681-2786.2025.3.15640

Issue

No. 3 (2025)

Section

Public health

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