Distribution of hepatitis B virus-positive individuals in Zaria, Nigeria, according to risk-associated practices.

Abdurrahman El-Fulaty Ahmad,Claudia A Hawkins,Bello Hali,Shettima K Mustapha,Adebola T Olayinka,Sumayya Hamza Maishanu,Bolanle O P Musa,Adamu Girei Bakari,Abdulqadri O Olatunji,Mohammed Ibrahim Tahir,Atiene S Sagay,Idris Nasir Abdullahi,Bello Yusuf Jamoh

doi:10.25259/cjhs_7_2019

Abdurrahman El-Fulaty Ahmad, Claudia A Hawkins + Show 11 more

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https://doi.org/10.25259/cjhs_7_2019

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Background:An estimated 75% of Nigerians are at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure. In an attempt to reduce the menace, the assessment of risk factors associated with HBV infection and general perception of infected individuals is a step in that direction.Aim of the Study:This study, therefore, identified exposure to risk factors and general perceptions associated with HBV infection in infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria.Methodology:Four milliliters of blood were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid container from each of 165 HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive participants recruited purposively from the gastroenterology clinic of ABUTH Zaria from May to August 2017. Plasma was separated and used to screen for HBsAg with Fastep® rapid strip. Epi Info® questionnaire database was used to collate data on sociodemographics, risk factors, and perception indices. GraphPad Prism 6 was used for statistical analysis.Results:The median interquartile range age of the participants was 31.0 (25.5–39.0) years with 107 (64.8%) male participants. Sharing hair clippers, commercial pedicure, and body piercing among others were some of the risks that the study participants reported to be exposed to. One-quarter of health workers involved in the study had needlestick injury. Less than half of the study participants (47.7%) knew of hepatitis B before testing HBsAg seropositive. Knowledge of the HBV vaccine before testing and adherence was generally poor (38.6% and 44.6%, respectively). There was a significant linear relationship between the level of education and knowledge of hepatitis B.Conclusion:Considering the myriads of already established risks of HBV seen in Zaria, massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked on continuously through all available media, including social media.

Highlights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.[1]
Factors associated with acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection include needlestick injuries, sharing hair clippers and pedicure tools, dental procedures, and cultural practices such as tribal marks, traditional circumcision, and tattoo inscriptions
This study, identified risk factors and general perceptions associated with HBV infection in infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria

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Introduction

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.[1] About 2 billion people are thought to have evidence of past or present infection with HBV, with about 240 million chronic carriers of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg).[2] Worldwide, approximately 650,000 people die each year from complications of chronic hepatitis B.[3] In Nigeria, HBV infection is hyperendemic with the seroprevalence of HBsAg ranging from 10% to 40%.[4,5,6,7,8] About 75% of the Nigerian adult population is at risk of exposure to the virus infection translating to a huge risk of contracting HBV infection.[9]. In an attempt to reduce the menace, the assessment of risk factors associated with HBV infection and general perception of infected individuals is a step in that direction

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