Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence among Patients Attending at Christ the King Hospital in Ideato South, Imo State

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus among patients attending Christ the king hospital, Ideato south, Imo state. Blood samples from 300 patients (108 female and 192 male) at the Christ the King hospital in Ogueme Ntueke, Ideato South, Imo state, were collected for the purpose of identifying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using traditional serological methods. Among the 300 patients, 8.3% tested positive for hepatitis B (4.6% female and 10.4% male). [The highest prevalence of the virus was found in the age group (31 - 40), followed by (11 - 20) and (61 - 70) with 0% prevalence, (21- 30) with (5.1%), (41- 50), (51- 60) with (8.5%), and (41-70) with (3.8%). Sharp object use, tattooing, tonsillectomy, circumcision, and other risk factors all contributed to the virus's spread. The study participants at Christ the King Hospital had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis as indicated by the p value of 0.005. Thus, it is strongly advised to read health awareness materials and be informed of the risks of getting this infection].