Risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among secondary school students in Abakaliki, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Majority of secondary school students are adolescents; an age group with a tendency to engage in healthcompromising risky behaviours in order to deal with anxiety and gain admission to peer groups. This exposes them to risk of Hepatitis B virus infection which is a major public health concern globally and in Nigeria.Objectives: This study focuses on some common risky behavioural practices that characterize the lifestyle of contemporary adolescent subculture; with a view to determining their effect on HBsAg seroprevalence. Method: Using multi-stage sampling method, 266 students were selected from 5 secondary schools in Abakaliki. Each subject first filled a questionnaire regarding biodata and history of exposure to risk factors. Subsequently, they were screened for HBsAg using enzyme immunoassay-based chromatographic test kit. Results:Nine students out of 266 tested positive giving a prevalence value of 3.38%. There was no significant association between gender (p = 0.31) or socioeconomic status (p = 0.81) and the seroprevalence of HBsAg among the subjects. Similarly, none of the risk factors studied, including previous history of jaundice (p = 0.26), blood transfusion (p = 0.24), past history of surgery (p = 0.47), scarification marks (p = 0.17), sharing of sharp objects (p = 0.74), drug injections (p = 0.32), unprotected sex (p = 0.64) and family history of hepatitis (p = 0.79), was significantly associated with HBV infection. Conclusion: None of the risk factors assessed played significant role in the transmission of HBV among secondary school students in Abakaliki.

Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viral co-infections in HIV infected children in Lagos, Nigeria

“…The investigated risk factors such as unsafe injection practices, sharing of sharp objects, genital circumcision, blood transfusion, sexual exposure/abuse, previous surgical operation, and scarification/tattoo in the current study showed no significant association with the prevalence of HBsAg and HCV infection in either HIV-infected or HIV naïve children. This is in concordance with a previous report by earlier researchers [ 6 , 27 , 42 , 58 ]. The rationale behind these findings could be due to current ongoing awareness and adoption of healthy lifestyles, preventive measures by the population, the robust national blood transfusion program, and better access to health care services.…”

Piloting a pragmatic clinical audit tool for quality improvement in rural paediatric care in northern Sierra Leone

“…As expected, malaria was the leading cause of paediatric admissions during the course of the tool implementation. Manifestations of severe malaria and its complications including cerebral malaria, prostration, severe malaria anaemia, and complex febrile convulsions were consistent with findings of similar studies conducted in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa [18, 23, 28-30]; and lend credence to a WHO report that progress in malaria control has stalled despite the considerable achievements recorded in the last two decades. [36]…”

“…WFH <-2SD), and having at least one danger sign were risk factors for death among the children. These factors resonate with findings of similar studies conducted in Africa [18, 22, 23] and underscore the need for improved nutritional support for children and better health-seeking behaviours of parents and caregivers of under-five children.…”

“…This finding differs from previous studies conducted in similar settings where mortality in some studies was higher in females [18,21,22] and higher in males in other studies. [19,23] Although, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was not a major, primary cause of admission among the hospitalised children in our study, about a third of the children had wasting and were underweight.…”

“…This finding differs from previous studies conducted in similar settings where mortality in some studies was higher in females [18, 21, 22] and higher in males in other studies. [19, 23]…”