Pattern of seroprevalence and socio-demographic distribution of hepatitis b virus infection among potential blood donors attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital-Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Blood transfusion is an essential medical service that ensures life safety and saves lives in situations like massive blood  loss.

Aim: This study aims to provide insight into the seroprevalence and socio-demographic distribution trends of HBV infection among blood  donors attending blood donor bay of ABUTH-Zaria, Nigeria, as well as identify the most potential risk factors that contribute to its transmission.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional comparative study that employed a simple random sampling technique in recruiting 131 potential  blood donors (18-57 years of age; 128 males and 3 females) attending the blood donor bay in ABUTH-Zaria, Nigeria. Five milliliter (5 mL)  of whole blood was collected from each participant and screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using ELISA. Demographic  characteristics data were collected and validated using the Epi InfoTM 7.2.3 questionnaire database. Ethical clearance was obtained from  the HRECs of ABUTH-Zaria and informed consent was obtained before recruitment. The study participants for this research were  recruited from November, 2022 to February, 2023. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v6.05.

Results: The 131 recruited study  participants had an overall seroprevalence of 8.4%. A Median Interquartile range (IQR) age of 27.5 (22-35) years was observed. The  highest HBV prevalence (4.6%) was observed between the age group of 28-37 years. Male gender, Hausa/Fulani tribe, Entrepreneurs,  married and secondary school certificate holders had the highest HBV prevalence rate (7.6%, 6.9%, 5.3%, 5.3%, and 5.3% respectively).  Known HBV infection risk factors such as sharing clippers, needle stick injuries, local circumcision, and tribal marks had the highest HBV  prevalence rate (7.6%, 5.3%, 7.6%, and 4.6% respectively).

Conclusion: Zaria has a high HBV endemicity (8.4%) with youths at highest risk. Effective awareness approaches, including health education, disease surveillance, tighter vaccination policies, and stakeholder  involvement, are needed for prevention and control.