Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies among patients attending Sokoto specialist hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences
Title Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies among patients attending Sokoto specialist hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 4
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Abstract
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are of public health importance globally. Viral hepatitis, especially B
and C form a considerable percentage of Liver disease worldwide. This study aims to determine the
seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus among patients attending Sokoto Specialist Hospital with a
view to establish prevalence rate in the state. Serum samples were collected from patients and
analyzed to determine the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) using Biorex ELISA (HBV)
and anti HCV using Acon ® Laboratory Inc, test kits. Of the 300 patients screened, 42(14.0%) were
positive for hepatitis B virus and 8 (2.7%) was positive for the presence of hepatitis C antibody. Gender,
age, sex, education, marital status, history of blood transfusion, presence of tribal marks/ tattoos and
intravenous drug abuse related prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus were determined. Only history of
blood transfusion was strongly associated with the prevalence of hepatitis B infection with
highly statistical significant difference (P < 0.05), none of these factors was associated with the
prevalence of hepatitis C virus. Thus, the finding of this study emphasize the importance of good
personal hygiene in the prevention of the infections since hepatitis B infection can be spread
through body fluids such as blood and blood product.

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