Evaluation of Iraq’s National Plan to Control Hepatitis B Virus: Identifying Gaps and Strategies for Improvement

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health concern in Iraq, necessitating a comprehensive study to understand the temporal and demographic patterns of incidence rates. This study explored gender disparities, regional variations across governorates, and age-related incidence rates from 2015 to 2022. Additionally, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the national HBV control plan, focusing on vaccination coverage, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, blood safety, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to analyze the descriptive epidemiology profile of HBV in Iraq. National-level data from 2015 to 2022 for different governorates are examined. The evaluation phase specifically focused on the Wasit governorate, which includes 24 primary health care centers (PHCCs) representing 50% of the total centers. Statistical tests, including t tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests, were conducted using SPSS and Excel to identify significant patterns in the data. Results The incidence of HBV decreased from 8.3 per 100,000 people in 2015 to 3.5 per 100,000 people in 2022. Gender disparities consistently indicated higher rates among males, while significant variations were observed among the governorates. Age-related analysis revealed the highest incidence rates in individuals aged 15–45 and over 45 years. The national plan successfully achieved high vaccination coverage but faced challenges in preventing mother-to-child transmission and diagnosing viral hepatitis B. The evaluation scores for PHCCs varied, with 88% falling within the acceptable range. Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of HBV in Iraq, highlighting declining incidence rates and significant demographic variations. Although there has been success in vaccination coverage, challenges persist in preventing mother-to-child transmission and achieving viral hepatitis B diagnosis targets. The evaluation of PHCCs indicates areas for improvement in healthcare service delivery. These findings offer valuable insights for targeted interventions and policy adjustments, ultimately aiding in effectively controlling and preventing hepatitis B in Iraq.