Abstract
Infections due to Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viruses (HBV and HCV) are worldwide significant problems in public health. This cross-sectional and comparative study was carried out to evaluate and compare the prevalence of HBV, HCV and typhoid bacteria among voluntary non-remunerated blood donors in Abakaliki, Nigeria. A total of 307 voluntary non-remunerated blood donors were screened using rapid test (Global Rapid Diagnostic Kit, USA) for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HCV in serum samples. The positive samples were screened using ELISA Kit (Clinotech Diagnostics, Canada) to check the specificity of the screening test for HBV and HCV. The results obtained showed that 20(6.52%) and 10(3.26%) were seropositive to HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg and HCV were higher in males 17(5.54%) and 6(1.95%) compared to 3(0.98%) and 4(1.30%) in females respectively. Age specific prevalence of HBV was higher in the age brackets 15-24 and 25-34 years with 4(6.67%), and 14(8.33%), lower in the age bracket 35-44 with 2(2.70%) and lowest in the age bracket 45+ years with 0(0.00%). Age specific prevalence of HCV was higher in the age brackets 25-34 and 35-44 years with 7(4.17%) and 3(4.05%) respectively and lowest in the age brackets 15-24 and 45+ years with no cases at all among them. Statistically, there was no significant relationship between age, HBV and HCV infections (p > 0.05). The most important risk factors in the acquisition of HBsAg as revealed in this study appears to be: those with multiple sexual partners, 12(20.00%), family history of hepatitis, 4(15.39%), blood transfusion 5(9.62%), and tribal mark/tattooing, 2(6.25%) while the most important risk factors in the acquisition of HCV appears to be: family history of hepatitis, 5(19.23%), and blood transfusion 4(7.69%). In comparison, HBV is more prevalent among blood donors in Abakaliki than HCV. Furthermore, this study also reveals that few blood donors have bacteraemia, thus the prevalence of typhoid bacteria among blood donors is very low. The intermediate prevalence of HBV and HCV, and low prevalence of typhoid bacteria recorded among blood donors in this study are probably a reflection of situation in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Therefore, urgent-preventive measures should be taken to set up campaign against transmission of HBV and HCV in Abakaliki, Nigeria. To lower hepatitis prevalence, program of active screening and vaccination for voluntary non-remunerated blood donors is recommended.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are among the most transfusion transmissible infectious agents
Age specific prevalence of HBsAg was higher in the age brackets 15-24 and 25-34 years with 6.67%, (n = 4) and 8.33%, (n = 14), low in the age brackets 35-44 years with 2.70%, (n = 2), while the age specific prevalence of HCV was higher in the age brackets 25-34 and 35-44 years with 4.17%, (n = 7) and 4.05%, (n = 3) respectively, and age brackets 15-24 had no cases, age brackets 45+ had no cases at all among them in both
The specificity of the screening test for HBV and HCV using Enzyme Linked Immuno Assay (ELISA) kits was checked, the results revealed that rapid immmunochromatographic strips used for HBV and HCV testing were specific, since the twenty (20) and ten (10) blood samples that tested positive for HBV and HCV
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are among the most transfusion transmissible infectious agents. The hepatitis virus is found in the blood and other body fluids and is transmitted from person to person. Many people infected with hepatitis B or C rarely displays any symptom, they can still transmit the virus to others [3]. Hepatitis B is a major disease of serious global public health proportion. Of the 2 billion people who have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) globally, more than 350 million have chronic (lifelong) infections [4]. The world health organization (WHO) estimates that about 3% of world populations (200 million peoples) have hitherto been infected with the Hepatitis C virus [6]. Blood transfusion is increasingly becoming a major mode of transmission of HBV and HCV especially in high prevalence areas such as sub-Saharan Africa. The increase in road accidents, pregnancy- related haemorrhage, anaemia due to disease conditions and malnutrition, armed conflicts, and violent events in the subregion increase the possibility of the emergency transmission of HBV and HCV through contaminated blood
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