Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are the leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The epidemiology of HBV and HCV infections in Ethiopia has not been well studied at community level. This study aimed to investigate the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among community members in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts from March to May 2018. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant clinical and socio-demographic data. About 3 ml of blood sample was collected and screened for HBV and HCV using One Step Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Test Strip for the detection of HBsAg and One Step HCV Test Strip for the detection of antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV). HBsAg positive samples were further tested using immunoassay of Alere Determine^TM HBsAg (Alere Inc., USA) which is more specific than the primary screening test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results: A total of 625 (51.4% males, mean age ± SD = 30.83 ± 13.51 years) individuals participated in the study. The sero-prevalence of HBV infection was 8.0% as detected using HBsAg Test Strip, while it was 7.2% using Alere Determine^TM HBsAg test. The sero-prevalence for HCV infection was 1.9%. Two (0.3%) of the participants were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Significantly higher sero-prevalence was detected in those having body weakness and fatigue (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI: 1.49, 16.51) for HBV and age group 25-34 (AOR = 13.26; 95%b CI: 1.37, 128.60) for HCV infections.

Conclusion: this study revealed higher-intermediate endemicity of HBV and low to intermediate endemicity levels of HCV infections in South Omo Zone. Individuals having body weakness and fatigue (for HBV) and older individuals (for HCV) were at higher risk. Provision of health education, screening and vaccination (HBV) of high-risk groups has paramount importance.