Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among medical laboratory science students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among medical laboratory science students (MLSSs) in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit a total of 178 students into the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather relevant information on risk factors, and a hepatitis B diagnostic test kit was used to test for HBV infection. Descriptive, chi-square test, bivariate and multiple logistic regression statistical analysis were computed. Significance was observed at p < 0.05.FindingsThe prevalence of HBV infection among MLSSs was 6.7%. Torn gloves and splash of blood and body fluids contributed to 43.0% and 28.0% of all the risk factors of HBV infection, respectively. Also, 43.3% of students had received at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccination. Sharp object-related injury and torn gloves increased the odds of HBV infection, while vaccination decreased the odds of HBV infection.Research limitations/implicationsSharp-related injuries, torn gloves and vaccination were strong predictors of the HBV infection. And since the infection among students was high, it is imperative to institute measures to avert the concentration of the disease among health-care workers (HCWs) and MLSSs.Originality/valueThis study reveals the prevalence of HBV among MLSSs, who are recognized as being among the high-risk student populations aside from student nurses.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with Hepatitis B virus infection among students in two senior high schools in the Krachi Nchumuru district in Ghana-A cross-sectional study

“…A study conducted in the Central African Republic in a cohort of students reported an overall prevalence of 42.3% for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, and 15.5% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) [ 15 ]. Using HBsAg prevalence of 15.5% in this study and the Cochrane formula [ 16 ] for estimating sample size in cross-sectional design with percentage margin of error taken as 5%= 0.05, Z score of 1.96, and a 10% non-response rate, yielded an estimated sample size of 228. An additional 72 students who expressed interest in knowing their hepatitis B status assented to participate in the study after their parents have consented, making the overall sample size of the study to be 300 participants.…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis B among food vendors in Kwadaso Municipality, Ghana

“…A report from the Ghana Health Service in 2014 revealed fifty-one thousand fifty-two suspected hepatitis cases, of which seven thousand five hundred and eighty-two people were confirmed positive. This resulted in one hundred and eight deaths in the year 2014 [7].…”

Adherence to the three-component Hepatitis B virus vaccination protocol among healthcare workers in hepatitis B virus endemic settings in Ghana

“…The risk of infection among Ghanaian HCWs is high as there are increasing incidents of blood and body fluids exposure through percutaneous injuries [10] , [11] . HBV prevalence rates ranging from 1 to 5.9 % have been reported among Ghanaian HCWs [12] , [13] , [14] and this is an indication of risk translating into actual infections.…”