Abstract
Objective: Globally, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health issue. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Working in a healthcare setting particularly in low resource area is a major risk factor for contracting HBV infection. Despite this, routine pre-operative screening for HBV infection has not yet practiced in many Nigerian hospitals. This study assessed the prevalence and associations of hepatitis B seropositivity in a rural south-eastern Nigerian population of ophthalmic surgical patients. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional survey of ophthalmic surgical patients at the Presbyterian Joint Hospital—a rural missionary eye care facility in south-eastern Nigeria, conducted between December 2012 and June 2013. Participant’s socio-demographic and clinical data and result of screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg) were collected. Results: The participants (n = 100; males, 40; females, 50) were aged 52.9 SD ± 15.4 (range 1 - 88 years). They were predominantly farmers—45% and traders—26% who had cataract—58% and glaucoma—16% as their leading clinical diagnosis indicating ophthalmic surgical intervention. Of them only 2 (2.0%) were sero-positive for HbSAg. HBV seropositivity was not associated with age, gender or occupation. Conclusion: Though the prevalence of hepatitis B viral infection is low in this study, universal measures to prevent cross infection of the healthcare worker is indicated.
Highlights
Hepatitis B is an infectious inflammatory disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects hominoidea, including humans
Only 2 (2.0%) were seropositive for HbsAg. The two, both females aged between 21 - 40 years, comprised a student and a civil servant
A uniform cross socio-economic cadre approach to advocacy for prevention of HBV infection is recommended
Summary
Hepatitis B is an infectious inflammatory disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects hominoidea (primates), including humans. About a third of the world’s population has been infected at one point in their lives [3], including about 400 million who are chronic carriers [4] [5]. Additional risk factors for contracting HBV infection include perinatal and transplacental transmission, working in a healthcare settings, peritoneal and hemo-dialysis, acupuncture, tattooing, intravenous drug abuse, unprotected surgical procedures, sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person and travel to countries where it is endemic [6]-[9]. Chronic disease or carrier state, which follows recovery from acute phase, is usually asymptomatic; carriers remain sero-positive and potentially transmit the infection
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