Risk Factors For Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Adult Nigerians With Clinical Features Of Liver Diseases In A Resource-Constrained Environment Of A Primary Care Clinic In Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important contributor to the burden of liver diseases in adult Nigerians and constitutes a threat to socio-economic development in the sub-region. Screening for its risk factors in patients with clinical features of liver diseases is an important primary care challenge that is often neglected. Aim: To determine the risk factors for HBV infection in adult Nigerians with clinical features of liver diseases in a resource-constrained environment of a primary care clinic in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 140 adult Nigerians with clinical features of liver diseases at the primary care clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Clinical features of liver diseases were based on the presence of some constitutional, hepatic and extra-hepatic features. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was assayed using immunochromatographic method. A pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic variables and histories of HBV-related risk factors. Results: The HBV sero-prevalence was 50.7%. The age group 40 – 60 years (P=0.048) and artisans (P=0.019) were significantly infected. The behavioural risk factors significantly associated with HBV infection were histories of unprotected sexual exposures (P=0.001), blood transfusion (P=0.022) and non-hepatitis B vaccination (P=0.030). The most significant predictor of HBV infection was history of unprotected sexual exposures (OR=5.04, P=0.003). Conclusion: Risk factors of HBV infection exist in adult Nigerian patients with clinical features of liver diseases and HBV infection was significantly associated with age, occupation, unprotected sexual exposures, blood transfusion and non-hepatitis B vaccination.