Abstract
IntroductionHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries. Chronic HBV infection is a risk factor for severe disease progression. Perinatal and sexual transmissions of Hepatitis B virus are the main routes of infection in HBV endemic countries like Nigeria. However, there is paucity of data as regards the major contributory route of transmission to chronic HBV infection in this region. Also, in Nigeria, not everyone at high risk of the infection has been identified. Therefore our study investigated the prevalence of HBV infection among sexually active individuals in Nigeria.MethodsBlood samples collected from 463 participants (360 sexually active individuals and 103 teenagers) recruited from health institutions across the country were tested for the presence of HBsAg, and HBV nucleic acid related antigen (HBVNRAg) by ELISA. Positive samples were further tested for the presence of HBeAg and antiHBe by ELISA. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binary logistic regression at p = 0.05.ResultsHBsAg and HBVNRAg were detected in 10.4% and 7.6% of the participants respectively. STI clinic attendees had the highest prevalence for HBsAg (17%; p = 0.002). Teenagers had the lowest HBsAg (1.9; p = 0.002) and HBVNRAg (2.9%; p = 0.0001) prevalence rates. Male gender (p = 0.01) and reproductive age group (p=0.009) were the major predictors of chronic HBV infection.ConclusionSexual transmission was identified as the major contributor to chronic HBV infection. Sexually active individuals especially those with STIs are high risk groups for chronic HBV infection. Interventions targeted at this group is therefore recommended.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries
Binary logistic regression analysis of study variables for HBsAg showed that persons in age group 31-40 years were over five times more at risk of HBV infection than other age groups in the study (P = 0.009)
The findings from this study have further highlighted the sustained transmission of HBV among Nigerians; male gender and reproductive age group (21-40 years) were identified as major contributors to HBsAg carriage and chronic HBV infection in Nigeria
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries. Perinatal and sexual transmissions of Hepatitis B virus are the main routes of infection in HBV endemic countries like Nigeria. Our study investigated the prevalence of HBV infection among sexually active individuals in Nigeria. Methods: Blood samples collected from 463 participants (360 sexually active individuals and 103 teenagers) recruited from health institutions across the country were tested for the presence of HBsAg, and HBV nucleic acid related antigen (HBVNRAg) by ELISA. Active individuals especially those with STIs are high risk groups for chronic HBV infection. Interventions targeted at this group is recommended. Chronic HBV infection is defined by the prevalence of HBsAg carriage and it is a risk factor for disease progression in infected individuals [5]. HBV infection is endemic in Nigeria and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality despite availability of vaccines in the country [7]
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