Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes a spectrum of
acute and chronic liver disease, ranging from inactive
chronic carrier status to progressive chronic hepatitis,
leading to end-stage cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.
In sub-Saharan Africa, over 8% of the population has
chronic HBV carriage with a high risk for progressive liver
disease. HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma is the most
common cancer among men and third most common
among women. HBV therefore represents a critical threat
to health in the African continent.