Anderson, MotswediMangogola, ThaboPhinius, Bonolo B.Mpebe, GorataAimakhu, Christopher O.Choga, Wonderful T.Phakedi, BasetsanaBhebhe, Lynnette N.Ditshwanelo, DoreenBaruti, KaboMpofu-Dobo, LindaOthusitse, LebogangRatsoma, TsholofeloGaolathe, TendaniMakhema, JosephShapiro, RogerLockman, ShahinMoyo, SikhulileGaseitsiwe, Simani2025-02-172025-02-172024-06-15Anderson, M.; Mangogola, T.; Phinius, B.B.; Mpebe, G.; Aimakhu, C.O.; Choga,W.T.; Phakedi, B.; Bhebhe, L.N.; Ditshwanelo, D.; Baruti, K.; et al. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence among HIV-Uninfected People Living in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas in Botswana. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 1207. https://DOI.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061207.2076-260710.3390/microorganisms12061207http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100971DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.BACKGROUND : we determined the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) amongst people without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in rural and peri-urban areas in Botswana. METHODS : We screened for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from archived plasma samples of people without HIV (n = 2135) randomly selected from the Botswana Combination Prevention Program (BCPP) (2013–2018). We sequenced 415 bp of the surface region using BigDye sequencing chemistry. RESULTS : The median age of participants was 31 (IQR: 24–46) and 64% (1360/2135) were female. HBV prevalence was 4.0% (86/2135) [95% CI: 3.3–4.9]) and ranged between 0–9.2%. Older participants (>35 years) had increased odds of HBV positivity (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: [1.32–2.86]; p = 0.001). Thirteen samples were sequenced and seven (53.8%) were genotype A, three (23.1%) were genotype D and genotype E each. Clinically significant mutations were identified in the surface region, but no classic drug resistance mutations were identified. CONCLUSIONS : We report an HBV prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI 3.3–4.9) among people without HIV in rural and peri-urban communities in Botswana with varying rates in different communities. A comprehensive national HBV program is required in Botswana to guide HBV prevention, testing and management.en© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.PrevalenceGenotypesMutationsHIV negativeAfricaHepatitis B virus (HBV)Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingRural areaPeri-urban areaBotswanaArticle