Hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity and knowledge of Hepatitis transmission

Abstract

Introduction: Despite its staggering toll on health, diseases arising from hepatitis are largely unknown, unappreciated, undiagnosed and untreated. Many Nigerians are unaware of their hepatitis B status and often present late to hospital with advanced chronic liver disease. The objectives were to determine the hepatitis B sero-prevalence rate; assess respondents' risk factors for hepatitis B and knowledge about hepatitis B infection. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of persons who attended the 2012, World Hepatitis Day ceremony at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information from consenting participants. All consenting respondents were also screened for hepatitis B using the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) test. Results: Hepatitis B sero-prevalence rate was 14.2%. Most of the respondents were: aged 15-49 years (75.8%), males (51.5%), currently employed (55%), and had 6-10 persons in their household (51.7%). Only 6.4% had ever been transfused with blood, 4.3% had a history of jaundice, and 15.2% had a family member with hepatitis B infection. Majority (85.1%) had poor knowledge regarding hepatitis B and only 27.4% had previously screened for it. Factors predictive of hepatitis B seropositive status were: male gender (P = 0.001), a prior hepatitis B screening test (P = 0.002) and family member with hepatitis B infection (P = 0.047). Conclusions: Sero-positivity to HbsAg is high among the participants of this study, yet awareness is remained poor. There is the need for renewed commitment of all stakeholders towards prevention and control of hepatitis B in Nigeria.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Knowledge, Prevalence, Risk Factors

High Med Res J 2013;13:36-40