Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 55 1 2026 02 08 143 150 Bashiru Garba 1. SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 3. Department of Veterinary Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo Univer-sity, Sokoto, Nigeria Shukri Mohamud Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Sumait Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Hafida Samatar Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Sumait Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Najib Dirie 1. SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2. Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Abdirahman Mohamud Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Mohamed Adam 1. SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Jihaan Hassan 1. SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Fartun Hassan Orey Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Hodo Asowe Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Jamal Mohamoud 1. SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia Mohamed Ahmed Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, & Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia 2024 05 20 2025 11 26 Background: Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection is characterized by acute and chronic illness, that often lead to liver cirrhosis, and death. In this study, we determined the proportion of patients with hepatitis B infection in Mogadishu and evaluated their hepatitis B viral DNA. Methods: A retrospective hospital-based descriptive study was conducted between July 2022 and October 2023 to collect data from all patients sent to the Dr. Sumait Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia for hepatitis B DNA detection and viral load determination. Results: Among the 406 patients studied in a clinical setting, 54.4% tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The cohort predominantly consisted of males (62.8%) and individuals aged 30-39 years (32.8%). Age and sex were significantly associated with HBV positivity, with higher odds observed in older age groups with a 2.62 times higher risk of infection (95%CI=1.447-4.750) for the individuals aged between 30-39 years old, 3.19 times greater (95%CI=1.671-6.114) for those age group between 40-49 years old, and 3.13 times greater (95%CI=1.670-5.870) for those age group above 50 years. It should be noted that these findings are based on a clinical cohort and therefore may not represent the prevalence of HBV in the general population. Conclusion: This study highlights a high proportion of HBV infection among clinical patients with known or suspected HBV infection in Mogadishu, with significant associations between age, sex, and infection risk. Further population-based studies are needed to assess the true burden of HBV in the general population in Somalia.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/35571 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/35571/8754