Virology

Biography

Biography: Grace Pennap

Abstract

Infection with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus are significant emerging public health problems in Nigeria. This study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among apparently healthy people. Two hundred blood samples were screened for HBV and HCV using a rapid chromatographic immunoassay test kit. Of these, 10.5% were reactive for HBsAg, 20.5% for HCV and 1.5% had a co-infection. The gender specific prevalence rates of 9.0% and 12.5% were recorded among the females and males for HBV respectively, while for HCV, the prevalence of 20.7% was recorded among females and 20.2% among males. Co-infection was 2.2% and 0.9% for males and females respectively (P > 0.05). The highest prevalence of HBV (12.9%) was recorded among participants aged 16-30years while it was least (4.3%) among those aged 1-15 years. The highest prevalence of HCV (25.8%) was among those aged 16-30 years and least (8.7%) among those aged 1-15 years. There was no statistically significant relationship between viral infection and age, gender, marital status, history of blood transfusion, educational level, occupation and scarification marks (P > 0.05). The high prevalence rates is a cause for alarm especially as it is among apparently healthy people. Patients should be screened at the point of care as a prelude to treatment and likewise prospective blood donors .