Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infections in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis which includes five the main strains of hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), (HBA), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D(HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV), are leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Much public health attention is however focused on the two blood-borne hepatitis viruses HBV and HCV, due largely to their high prevalence and pervasive rates of morbidity and mortality. This study was thus aimed at determining the prevalence of HBV and HCV. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Diobu, a high-density group of urban communities situated in the heart of Port Harcourt metropolis in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The medical laboratory records 206 patients, including 123 males and 83 females of various ages, residing in Diobu and closely adjoining urban communities of Port Harcourt metropolis were reviewed; to extract data on the HBV and HCV tests. Results: The mean age in years was 37.04± 12.06 the median age: 36, mode: 33, while the minimum and maximum ages were 12 and 69 years, respectively. The seroprevalence of hepatitis B in the study area was found to be 5.8%, while that for hepatitis C was 0.5%. The males had a seroprevalence of 7.3% and females 3.6% for hepatitis B. Among the age groups, the highest prevalence was found in the 31-40 years age bracket at 10.6%, followed by 11-20 years (59%), 21-30 years, (5.0%) and 41-50% (3.6%) Conclusion: The prevalence of 5.8% for HBV in this study, represents an intermediate level of transmission on the WHO criteria of endemicity, while the 0.5% is low level of transmission. There is need for concerted public health policy makers and all stakeholders to put more efforts curtail the menace of viral hepatitis.