Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B markers among blood donors from National Blood Transfusion Service centre in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

The survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus markers among blood donors from National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) centre in Kaduna, Nigeria. Five milliliters of blood was collected through the vein into the EDTA container and screened for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) using diagnostic kit for HBV infection marker in whole blood. The socio-demographic factors associated with HBV infection were determined using structured questionnaires. The prevalence of HBV markers among blood donors was compared using Pearson correlation matrix. The total prevalence rates of the five (5) HBV markers were: HBsAg 12(7.3 %), HBsAb 5(3.0 %), HBeAb 12(7.3 %), HBcAb 18(10.9 %) while all blood samples were negative for HBeAg. Statistically, there were significant differences between the rate of prevalence for HBsAb and age, likewise HBcAb and occupation at (p<0.05). A high significant correlation was found between HBsAg and HBcAb at r=0.725 and p=0.0001, between HBsAg and HBeAb at r=0.820 and p=0.0001 as well. Additionally, there was a high significant correlation between HBcAb and HBsAb at r=0.278 and p=0.0001, between HBcAb and HBeAb at r=0.725 and p=0.0001. However, HBsAg and HBcAb have no significant correlation with any other HBV markers (P>0.01). Some of the samples that were HBsAg negative have been found to be positive for other HBV markers specifically HBcAb (IgG and IgM). Therefore, based on this study screening for HBsAg alone might not be sufficient for diagnosis of HBV infection.