Burden of Hepatitis B Viral Infection among Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are particularly at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections due to contact with infectious material like contaminated blood and body fluids or contact with HBV contaminated fomites. HBV vaccine is efficient in preventing infection though 5%-10% of individuals are non-responders. HBV vaccine was introduced into Nigerian childhood immunization services in year 2004. However, routine vaccination of HCWs is often not implemented due to cost in resource limited settings like ours. Therapeutic options are also not affordable and available options do not guarantee complete cure. This study aimed at determining the burden of HBV infection among HCWs in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, in order to institute prompt treatment as a way of curbing HBV spread and disease progression. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December, 2016. Staff from various cadres in EKSUTH, who accepted to participate, was recruited into the study. Following informed consent, 5 mls of blood collected from each participant was screened for HBV markers using HBV serologic combo test kit. Demography and Information on risk factors were collected with questionnaire. Results: A total of 965 participants, of which 323 (33.5%) were males and 642 (66.5%) were females, were recruited. Majority (72.6%) were married. History of unprotected sexual contact and multiple sexual partners was found in 62.3% and 54% of participants, respectively. In this study, 43 (4.5%) were HBsAg positive, out of which 40 (93%) had HBV infection (HBcAb positive).

Knowledge, Perception and Prevention Practices of Hepatitis B virus infection among Health Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution, Southwest Nigeria

“…The mean age of the respondents in this study was 32.41±0.32 years with the majority of the workers aged above 40 years. This is similar to research done in Edo state, southern Nigeria and Ado-Ekiti, southwest Nigeria to assess factors influencing knowledge of HBV vaccination among healthcare workers with a mean age of 34.90±9.46 years (2) and 35.00±4.50 years (18), respectively. The majority of the respondents were females (66.8%) with a similar occurrence in another study (18) with 66.5% females.…”

“…This is similar to research done in Edo state, southern Nigeria and Ado-Ekiti, southwest Nigeria to assess factors influencing knowledge of HBV vaccination among healthcare workers with a mean age of 34.90±9.46 years (2) and 35.00±4.50 years (18), respectively. The majority of the respondents were females (66.8%) with a similar occurrence in another study (18) with 66.5% females. The majority (64.7%) of the respondents in this study demonstrated good knowledge of HBV infection.…”