Infections due to viral hepatitis are systemic diseases caused by viruses A-E that mostly involve the liver. [1] It is a DNA virus which belongs to the family Hepadnaviridae. The virus was first discovered as 'Australian antigen' and later named hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood of patients. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was discovered later as a marker for patients at a high risk for transmission of the disease. [2] Infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem causing about two billion infections worldwide. [3] Transmission is commonly through blood transfusion, blood products, body fluids (urine, semen, sweat, saliva, and tears), use of contaminated needles, vertical transmission (mother to child through infected birth canal), and sexual contact. [1] Neonates born of chronically infected mothers have a 70-90% risk of the infection progressing to a chronic phase. [3] Most countries in Africa have a high HBV endemicity, with the exception of Morocco and Tunisia, which have intermediate endemicity. [4] A prevalence rate of 10% of HBV was found among pregnant women in Hong Kong, [3] 12% in Taiwan, [5] and17.3% in Burkina Faso. [6] A b s t r A c t Background: Pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can transmit the infection to their fetuses and newborns. Neonates who contract the HBV have about 90% risk of developing chronic HBsAg carriage (HBsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen) and chronic liver disease. Neonatal immunization interrupts this vertical and perinatal transmission. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and to identify potential risk factors associated with HBV infection. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted involving a total of 303 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at AKTH and 303 nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Blood sample was collected from each woman and the serum tested for the presence of HBsAg using latex rapid agglutination slide test kit (Cal-Tech Diagnostic Inc., USA) in the laboratory of the hospital. Reactive samples were stored at-20ºC and further confirmed for HBsAg using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Bio-Rad, France). HBsAg-positive samples were tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) using ELISA kits (Orgenics, Israel). A pretested, structured questionnaire was used for the collection of sociodemographic data and possible risk factors. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women and nonpregnant women were 7.9 and 7.6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant and nonpregnant women. The presence of HBeAg was statistically significant among both pregnant and nonpregnant women who tested positive for HBsAg. The risk factors associated with HBV infection were blood transfusion, ear piercing, history of an affected sibling with HBV infection, tattooing, and abortion among pregnant women. Conclusion: ...

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Background: Sexual assault is a widespread crime often associated with short term and potential long term significant physical and psycho-social distress. Objective: To determine the pattern and presentation of suspected sexual assault in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) from January 2008 to December 2017. Methodology: A retrospective review of patients who presented to AKTH with suspected sexual assault from 2008 to 2017 was done. Case records were retrieved and relevant information extracted on a proforma. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 23 statistical software. Results: There were 102 cases of suspected sexual assault which represents 0.4% of all gynaecologic consultations. The mean age was 12.9 ± 8.8years with a range of 3-40 years. Thirty-eight (61.3%) of the survivors were children below 10 years and over a third (41.9%) of them were assaulted in their homes. Children less than 10 years were more likely to be assaulted by their neighbours (χ2=0.814, p-value 0.013). There is a statistically significant relationship between the age of the survivor and time of assault as children below 10 years were assaulted more in the afternoon (Fishers exact, p-value <0.001). More than half of the survivors presents to the hospital within 24 hours after the assault. Forty percent of the survivors had repeated sexual assault and mostly through the vagina. Thirty-four (54.8%) of the survivors had HIV screening done and 12 (19.4%) had high vaginal swab while post-exposure prophylaxis was done in 9.7%. Only 36.3% of the post-pubertal survivors were given emergency contraceptives and 28 (45.2%) of them had follow-up visits. Conclusions: The incidence of sexual assault was found to be low in this study with the survivors mostly young children below 10 years and the assailant known to them. There is delay in presentation and disclosure of the incident. Management was mostly incomplete as a lot of the victims were lost to follow up. We recommend that a proforma should be developed to capture all the necessary and relevant information from survivors and assailants with regards to the potential medico-legal pitfalls associated with it.