SEROSURVEILLANCE OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN AMONG PROSPECTIVE BLOOD DONORS IN UNIMED TEACHING HOSPITAL,AKURE, ONDO STATE
Abstract
Nigeria is classified among the group of countries highly endemic for Hepatitis B Virus infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a partially double-stranded DNA virus, a species of the genus Orthohepadnavirus and a member of the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can be transmitted through blood transfusion. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among blood donors in Akure town. A total of 90 consenting potential blood donors from akure were screened for Hepatitis B with third generation Elisa kit. Positive and negative controls, were treated alongside the samples, in adherence to manufacturer's instructions and optical densities were read with ELISA reader from Human Diagnostic Limited. Data retrieved from the questionnaires administered to the participants and the results were subjected to statistical analysis, using SPSS version 25.0; to determine frequency, central tendencies, variation and relationship between variables by chi- square test.The age was 30.12 ± 6.21 with donors in age bracket 26 to 30predominating (37.8%). Majority was male (91.119%), while 85.6% of the participants were single. Only 2 (2.2%) do not have formal education, with 77.8% of the donors being Yorubas..The findings revealed that the prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Akure is 5.56%.This prevalence of Hepatitis B infection among blood donors in the region is alarming. Based on the findings of the study, health education and awareness, screening and testing, and promoting Condom Use are suggested to limit the spread of HBsAg among blood donors in akure Ondo state.
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