Vaccine Prophylaxis of Viral Hepatitis B among the Adult Population in the City of Jalal-Abad (Kyrgyz Republic).

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus remains a significant public health threat, especially in regions with limited access to healthcare services. The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of vaccination and identify the main barriers to its implementation, which could serve as a basis for optimizing immunization programmes in the region. In Jalal-Abad (Kyrgyz Republic), the screening study showed that the vaccination coverage rate among the adult population was critically low at only 3%, which is significantly lower than the level required for the formation of herd immunity. In 2023, 2,126 people were tested out of a total of 71,307 adult residents of the city, which is only 3% of the target group. A positive result for HBsAg was found in 70 people (3.3%). The vaccination procedure was completed by 2,483 people, most of whom were in the 50-59 age group (63.4 per 1,000 population). Gender analysis showed that 68.1% of those vaccinated were women, while the share of men was only 31.9%. The study identified a number of barriers, including limited access to healthcare services, lack of awareness of the risks of hepatitis B and the importance of vaccination, and logistical challenges. The findings support expanding vaccination through mobile units, integrated public health services, and culturally adapted information campaigns to improve uptake and reduce hepatitis B prevalence among underserved adults.