Prevalence, correlates and pattern of hepatitis B surface antigen in a low resource setting

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Prevalence, correlates and pattern of hepatitis B surface antigen in a low

resource setting

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Nigeria has remained a Public Health issue.

It is a major cause of mortality, especially in developing countries.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection is thought to be a major

route of transmission in low resource areas. In spite of this, routine antenatal

screening for hepatitis B infection is not yet practiced in many Nigerian

hospitals.

This paper present the findings of a study conducted among antenatal women in

Nnewi, Nigeria.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out over a 3-month period

(August - October, 2009). Recruitment of 480 women attending antenatal clinics

in Nnewi, Nigeria was done by simple random sampling using computer generated

random numbers.

HBsAg screening was done using rapid ELISA Kits. Statistical analysis was

computed using STATA 11 package.

The results were subjected to analysis using cross tabulations to explore

statistical relationships between variables. Chi square test was used to explore

proportional relationship between groups.

The level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05 (providing 95%

confidence interval).

Results: Four hundred and eighty pregnant women were recruited into the study.

Of these, 40 tested positive to HBsAg, accounting for 8.3% of the sample

population.

The age of the subjects studied varied from 14 to 45 years (mean age - 24.3

years) while the mean parity was 2.18. The HIV/HBV co-infection rate was 4.2%.

The vertical transmission rate was 51.6%. There were statistically significant

relationships between HBV infection and previous history of tribal marks/tattoos

(chi-square = 27.39, P = 0.001, df =1), history of contact with previously

infected HBV patients (chi-square = 23.11, P = 0.001, df =1) and occupation of

the women (chi-square = 51.22, P = 0.001, df =1).

Multiple sexual partners, blood transfusion, dental manipulations, sharing of

sharps/needles, and circumcision were not significant modes of transmission.

There was no statistically significant relationship between maternal age,

educational level and HBV infection.

Conclusion: The authors argued that hepatitis B screening in pregnancy should be

made routine practice in Nigeria because of the low pick up rate of the

infection based only on risk factors for the disease.

Author: Ahizechukwu EkeUzoamaka Eke OkaforIfeanyichukwu

EzebialuChukwuanugo Ogbuagu

Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2011, 8:12

[Guest guest]

http://7thspace.com/headlines/369356/prevalence_correlates_and_pattern_of_hepati\

tis_b_surface_antigen_in_a_low_resource_setting.html

Prevalence, correlates and pattern of hepatitis B surface antigen in a low

resource setting

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Nigeria has remained a Public Health issue.

It is a major cause of mortality, especially in developing countries.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection is thought to be a major

route of transmission in low resource areas. In spite of this, routine antenatal

screening for hepatitis B infection is not yet practiced in many Nigerian

hospitals.

This paper present the findings of a study conducted among antenatal women in

Nnewi, Nigeria.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out over a 3-month period

(August - October, 2009). Recruitment of 480 women attending antenatal clinics

in Nnewi, Nigeria was done by simple random sampling using computer generated

random numbers.

HBsAg screening was done using rapid ELISA Kits. Statistical analysis was

computed using STATA 11 package.

The results were subjected to analysis using cross tabulations to explore

statistical relationships between variables. Chi square test was used to explore

proportional relationship between groups.

The level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05 (providing 95%

confidence interval).

Results: Four hundred and eighty pregnant women were recruited into the study.

Of these, 40 tested positive to HBsAg, accounting for 8.3% of the sample

population.

The age of the subjects studied varied from 14 to 45 years (mean age - 24.3

years) while the mean parity was 2.18. The HIV/HBV co-infection rate was 4.2%.

The vertical transmission rate was 51.6%. There were statistically significant

relationships between HBV infection and previous history of tribal marks/tattoos

(chi-square = 27.39, P = 0.001, df =1), history of contact with previously

infected HBV patients (chi-square = 23.11, P = 0.001, df =1) and occupation of

the women (chi-square = 51.22, P = 0.001, df =1).

Multiple sexual partners, blood transfusion, dental manipulations, sharing of

sharps/needles, and circumcision were not significant modes of transmission.

There was no statistically significant relationship between maternal age,

educational level and HBV infection.

Conclusion: The authors argued that hepatitis B screening in pregnancy should be

made routine practice in Nigeria because of the low pick up rate of the

infection based only on risk factors for the disease.

Author: Ahizechukwu EkeUzoamaka Eke OkaforIfeanyichukwu

EzebialuChukwuanugo Ogbuagu

Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2011, 8:12