Abstract
IntroductionHepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem of public health importance. In a bid to control the infection, the Nigerian government in 2004 introduced hepatitis B vaccine into the National Program on Immunization. There are no studies on the prevalence of hepatitis B in adolescent prior to 2004. The study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence and predictors of viral Hepatitis B in Nigerian children aged 11-19 years.MethodsA cross sectional analytical study was conducted in July 2014. Multi-staged sampling technique was used to select 749 children from six secondary schools in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Cross River State Medical Ethical Committee. A validated structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from participants following parental consent. Blood samples were obtained for qualitative detection of HBsAg using rapid chromatographic immunoassays with test kits from ABON (China) having sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of >99%, 97% and 98.5% respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.2.ResultsNine of the749 students screened were positive for HBsAg giving an overall prevalence of 1.2%. The sex specific prevalence was 0.8% for males and 1.8% for females. After multivariate analysis, age was the predictor of hepatitis B infection (OR 3.92; 95% CI 1.22-12.63; p-value 0.02).ConclusionThe prevalence of HBV infection was low. Despite the low prevalence, the introduction of the vaccine is justifiable in view of the public health importance of the infection.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem of public health importance
The highest prevalence of hepatitis B infection is in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia [5]
The study shows a low prevalence of asymptomatic HBV infection among the participants
Summary
Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem of public health importance. There are no studies on the prevalence of hepatitis B in adolescent prior to 2004.The study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence and predictors of viral Hepatitis B in Nigerian children aged 11-19 years. The introduction of the vaccine is justifiable in view of the public health importance of the infection. Hepatitis B viral infection is a major global health problem with predilection for the liver and is known to commonly lead to chronic infections after the acute infection. The earliest recognition of the public health importance of hepatitis B virus infection is thought to have occurred when it appeared as an adverse event associated with a vaccination campaign [5,6]. Majority of the people in these regions become infected during childhood and between 5–10% of the adult population is chronically infected [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
