Epidemiology of viral hepatitis B in the world and in Algeria

Among viral hepatitis, viral hepatitis B (VLH) is a clear public health priority. It is a so-called silent disease because most carriers are unaware that they have it. In many cases, the infection evolves slowly, sometimes for several decades. It then causes chronic and sometimes incurable diseases such as cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.The magnitude of the problem of viral hepatitis B is not only due to its frequency, but also to its short- and long-term health impact because of its potential to evolve and therefore its complications.It is the first etiology of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. The epidemiology of HVB is important in order to understand its natural history and to identify its risk and prognostic factors.