مسار بولونيا
EN

غسان عبد الامير واشي

السنة عنوان البحث نشر البحث
2026 Epidemiological Heterogeneity and Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Viral Hepatitis: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis (2019–2023) The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine
Epidemiological Heterogeneity and Background: Despite national immunization efforts, viral hepatitis remains a persistent publichealth threat in Iraq. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological distribution andspatiotemporal trends of HAV, HBV, and HCV across Babylon, Najaf, and Karbala from 2019to 2023. Methods: A retrospective, multi-center cross-sectional analysis was conducted amongpatients with serological confirmation of hepatitis. Data were extracted from standardizedsurveillance registries in major provincial hospitals. These facilities serve as the primarytertiary referral centers for a combined population of over 5 million residents and millions ofseasonal pilgrims. Results: A total of 10,715 patients were included from three provinces:Babylon (n=2,432), Najaf (n=4,077), and Karbala (n=4,206). A significant heterogeneity inviral types was observed. HBV was identified as the predominant type in Babylon (44.1%,n=1,073) and Najaf (42.1%, n=1,708), while Karbala displayed a distinct profile dominated byHAV (38.1%, n=1,599). A consistent "V-shaped" temporal trend was identified across allprovinces, where case detection declined by approximately 48% during the COVID-19pandemic, followed by a significant diagnostic resurgence in 2023 (e.g., n=739 in Babylon).Conclusions: The Middle Euphrates region is characterized by distinct "micro-epidemics"shaped by local context, specifically religious pilgrimage in Karbala. These findings necessitatea shift from a unified national approach to localized interventions. Recommendations includeurgent investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Karbala, and thestrengthening of nosocomial infection control and adult HBV vaccination programs in Babylonand Najaf to address the post-pandemic diagnostic backlog.