Strategic Screening and Linkage to Care for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Nigeria

Abstract

Background Viral Hepatitis B and C is a major public health concern, leading to 1.1 million deaths globally. The African region accounts for 26% of the global burden and 125,000 associated deaths from hepatitis B and C. Over 20 million Nigerians are living with chronic hepatitis B and C, but more than 80% of the population who are infected do not know their status. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections among the general public, pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, healthcare workers, and key populations across three states in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted across three target states and hospitals in Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kano. Participation in the study was voluntary and consent was obtained from participants. Blood sample collection and testing were carried out in line with the WHO guidelines. Frequencies and simple percentage were utilized with the help of IBM SPSS version 25. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg ranged from 4.7% to 7.2% across Healthcare Workers, Key Populations, and Pregnant Women, with an overall prevalence of 5.6% across all target populations. Meanwhile, the prevalence of HCV ranged from 1.9% to 2.8% across General Populations, Healthcare Workers, Key Populations, and Pregnant Women, with an overall prevalence of 2.2% across all target populations. Higher prevalence in specific groups, notably Key Populations, underscores the need for focused interventions to mitigate transmission risks. Conclusion: This study identified HBV and HCV positive patients across target populations/groups in Nigeria. All HBsAg and HBeAg positive pregnant women were identified and enrolled into HBV care to improve Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of Hepatitis B in Nigeria. All other patients reactive to HBV and HCV were also enrolled into care. In light of these findings, tailored public health initiatives are recommended, encompassing targeted educational campaigns, increased accessibility to healthcare services, and the integration of hepatitis screening into maternal health programs.