Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody among undergraduates in Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), among a healthy university undergraduate population in south-western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Relevant medical information of students who underwent the post-admission screening exercise for the year 2012, at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Health Center, Ogbomoso were extracted from the laboratory log book. All tests were done using rapid anti-HCV test kit by Health -Chem diagnostics, USA. A total of 1,572 students were included in the study. The mean age was 19.61 (± 2.75) years while the age range was 15-50 years. A total of 821 (52.20%), of the subjects were males while 751 (47.80%) were females. More than ninety nine percent (99.90%) of the subjects were aged 15-30 years, whereas those aged ≥31 years were comparatively few (0.60%). Results: Of the 1572 students, 6 tested positive, giving an overall prevalence of 0.40%. Three (0.37%) of the 821 male subjects tested positive while 3(0.40%) also of the 751 female subjects tested positive. Age-group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of anti -HCV (0.50%), followed by agegroups ≤ 20 years with 0.30% prevalence. None of the subjects in age-groups 31-40 and ≥ 41 years tested positive. Conclusion: These observed differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus is low among the young healthy undergraduate population in the south -western region of Nigeria.

Hepatitis C in Adults and Children: A Cross-Sectional Review from a Tertiary Hospital, Northeast Nigeria during the Period 2008-2015

“…Data obtained in healthcare settings has been associated with a higher prevalence attributable to symptomatic individuals who are likely to contribute to a large extent to subjects tested compared to community based studies which mostly comprise apparently well individuals. Our relatively high prevalence also contrasts to the low prevalence ranging between 0-1 percent reported by studies involving healthy subjects [13,14].…”

Emerging risk factors associated with prevalence of hepatitis c virus infection among Nigerians: Findings from blood donors in an academic hospital, Enugu South‐Eastern Nigeria

“…20 However, Atshaha et al in Ethiopia recorded history of hospitalisation, tooth extraction and blood transfusion. 21 The common cluster of risk factors (unprotected multiple sex, sacrification/tattooing, blood transfusion) recorded in this study is a common feature of most studies in Nigeria 19 and some part of Africa. 22 This could be explained by characteristics of African society where sacrifications are embedded in their custom/lifestyle for the service or worship of a deity.…”

“…Blood transfusion was the least occurring risk factor but most accessed. A previous report recorded blood transfusion in Ogbomosho South‐western Nigeria as the common risk factor . This indicates that high risk of exposure, socio‐demographic and lifestyle changes may have contributed to the variation in the frequency of these risk factors.…”

“…A previous report recorded blood transfusion in Ogbomosho South-western Nigeria as the common risk factor. 19 This indicates that high risk of exposure, socio-demographic and lifestyle changes may have contributed to the variation in the frequency of these risk factors. This can be explained why this present work and that of Ejiofor et al which was done in Enugu South-eastern Nigeria recorded sacrification as significant risk factor.…”

How useful is routine pre-endoscopy viral screening?

“…Despite the low national prevalence rate, several studies in the past have shown that there is a wide disparity in HCV seroprevalence among different population groups and subgroups in Nigeria. 26 There are at least 11 reported cases of HCV transmission attributed to digestive endoscopy. 16,21,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Apart from temporal association, serious attempt was made to establish patient-topatient transmission by nucleotide sequencing only in six of these patients.…”