PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBSAG) AMONG CHILDREN OF TWO COMMUNITIES IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B virus disease is a potentially life-threatening liver infection and a major global health problem. This study evaluated the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) among children in two communities in Makurdi, Benue State as well as the risk factors involved. A total of Two hundred and fifty (250) children were sampled for the study. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture, HBsAg assay was carried out to determine the status of each of the child selected for the study as structured questionnaires were also administered to collect relevant information. After laboratory analysis, a total of 17 (6.8%) of them were positive for the virus. The females were more infected than their male counterparts, showing 14 (9.7%) and 3 (2.9%) respectively (P = 0.035). According to location, children from Kanshio community recorded higher rates (8.0%) than those from North Bank with 5.6% positive of the virus (P = 0.451). Economic factors/risk factors like sexual exposure and vaccination were statistically significant showing P values as 0.038 and 0.052 respectively. HBV was found to be endemic in the study area. To curb/reduce both vertical and perinatal transmission of Hepatitis B, Public health education and vaccination against the virus are should be of concern for adolescents born in the pre- hepatitis B vaccine era in Nigeria and routine HBV check-up should be conducted among pregnant women in the study area, Benue state and Nigeria at large.