Human Hepatitis E Virus among Apparently Healthy Individuals in Ogbomoso, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence, and associated risk factors, of hepatitis E virus. A total of 186 consented apparently healthy individuals were recruited. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic information from the individuals. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-HEV using third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were collected over a period of 10 months (December 2014 -September 2015. Results obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 statistical software; Chi-square (χ 2 ) test was utilized to assess the association between the sociodemographic variables and HEV status while Logistic regression was done to determine the strength of association between the potential risk factors and HEV status (statistical significance was set at P ˂ 0.05). The overall anti-HEV prevalence was 2.7% (5/186). The highest seroprevalence was in the age range 15-25 (4.1%) years. Males had higher prevalence (3.2%). None of the sociodemographic status and potential risk factors were significantly associated with HEV infection (P ˃ 0.05). Preventive public health measures should be maintained among individuals and communities. Data suggest further research with larger population as HEV remains an under-recognized public health challenge.

Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Individuals from Osun State, Nigeria

“…Most studies from Africa report a higher HEV infection risk in young adults [30]. In Nigeria, Oladipo et al [11] reported a decreasing anti-HEV seropositivity with age in Ogbomoso, Southwest, Nigeria, while Junaid et al [9] stated that anti-HEV seropositivity increases with age in Plateau State, Northcentral, Nigeria. However, in European countries, where infections are mainly caused by HEV genotype 3, seroprevalence increases with age [31,32].…”

“…However, little is known about the seroprevalence and distribution of HEV, as well as risk factors contributing to HEV infection in Nigeria. Existing studies report an anti-HEV seroprevalence ranging from 7% to 93% in different regions of the country [7][8][9][10][11] and genotypes 1 and 2 have been detected in human samples in Nigeria [5,12,13]. In Nigeria, social amenities are still inadequately distributed, such as access to health care and potable water being more concentrated in urban communities, thus resulting in poor standards of living in rural areas of the country which may facilitate infections with HEV.…”