Hepatitis B testing
Export Indicator
It monitors trends in hepatitis B testing among people starting antiretroviral therapy, a critical intervention to ensure that they receive a drug combination that treats hepatitis B.
The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen indicates chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Knowing people’s HIV and hepatitis B status enables antiretroviral medicines to be prescribed that are effective against HBV and HIV infection.
Testing for hepatitis B identifies coinfection to adapt treatment
Number of people started on antiretroviral therapy who were tested for hepatitis B during the reporting period using hepatitis B surface antigen tests
Number of people starting antiretroviral therapy during the reporting period
Numerator/denominator
Clinical and/or laboratory records
Annual
- Sex
- Age (<15 and 15+ years)
- People who inject drugs
This indicator monitors progress in hepatitis B testing activities on a regular basis but does not reflect the overall proportion of people coinfected with HIV and HBV in HIV care who are aware of their hepatitis B coinfection. This would be reflected by indicator C.6 of the 2016 WHO viral hepatitis monitoring and evaluation framework, disaggregated by HIV status.
This indicator corresponds to the LINK.27 (Rev.1) indicator of the 2015 WHO consolidated strategic information guidelines for HIV in the health sector. The revision comprised considering people starting antiretroviral therapy since this is the best moment to test people living with HIV for coinfection to initiate treatment.