SEROPOSITIVITY OF HEPATITIS B ENVELOPE ANTIGEN AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING A ZONAL HOSPITAL IN OGONI, NIGERIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Nigeria has one of the greatest disease burdens from chronic viral hepatitis. This study was carried out to determine Hepatitis B envelope Antigen and risk factors of transmission among patients attending a zonal hospital in Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data was obtained individually from consenting patients. Thereafter, 93 patients of 100 (ages 21-75) were consecutively selected; blood samples of whom were screened by diagnostic method using Dia Pro HBe Antigen seropositivity. A higher prevalence of HBV occurred in females (44.7%), age groups 61-70 years (83.3%), the married (46.2%), those with secondary educational level (50.9%), Christians (46.6%), those with CD4+ count greater than 500 (50.0%) and those with viral load greater or equal to 1000 (66.7%). From the results, the prevalence of HBV among these patients is high (44.1%), which indicates a rise in the study area. Mass immunization, consistent medical check-ups, general surveillance and public health education is advocated to stop the spread of the infection in the society.
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