Prevalence of Positive Faecal Occult Blood Test in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Faecal occult blood test is a laboratory test used to access stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. It is an important screening tool for colorectal cancer. Subject and Methods: The faecal specimens were mainly requests sent to the department of chemical pathology from the accident and emergency words, consultant out-patients clinic and various in-patient wards at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, between January and December 2014 (12 months). The stools samples were analyzed using the guaiac-impregnated paper slides. Results: Of the 122 faecal occult blood tests done in the department of Chemical pathology, UBTH, during the period, only 2 were positive corresponding to just 1.6%, with one FOBT positive for the males (1.35%) and females (2.08%) respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the low incidence of colorectal cancer using FOBT among Nigerians living in the Niger-Delta region. Although with more people embracing western lifestyle and minimal exposure to sunlight, we advise that more awareness has to be created for people to routinely screen for occult blood in faeces and those positive or negative with high index of clinical suspicion should further be evaluated with sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.