Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Amongst Staff of a Nigerian University

Abstract

The prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus amongst Ebonyi State University Staff was investigated following undocumented reports of its presence amongst the University personnel. A total of 500 samples collected from volunteer Staffs were screened for Hepatitis B virus using HBsAg rapid test kit. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS 2.0). Only 8 (1.6%) of the 500 samples screened were positive for Hepatitis B Virus. A greater percentage of the positive samples were from males. Age group of 31-40 years had the highest positive samples. Only few of the subjects had previous knowledge of Hepatitis B virus despite working in the university where high level of HBV awareness was expected. This study reports the presence of HBV among Ebonyi State University Staff. This finding underscores the need for HBV sensitization, education and routine screening of Ebonyi State University Staff and other apparently healthy individuals in the environs.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Prevalence, Staff, Ebonyi, State, University.