SEROSURVELLANCE OF HBSAG AMONG PROSECTIVE BLOOD DONORS IN ONDO TOWN, 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 Ondo town. A total of 9O consenting potential blood donors from ondo town 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 demographic characteristics of the blood donors showed that majority of the participants were male (84.4%), while 72.2% of the participants were single. Only 7 (7.8%) do not have formal education,with 91.1% of the donors being Yorubas. The findings revealed that the prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Ondo town is 2.22%. 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,stringent donor screening and testing, and needle exchange programs are suggested to limit the spread of HBsAg among blood donors in Ondo town.