Serological Pattern of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Risk Factors among Infected Individuals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious global public health challenge that affects more than two billion people worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the serological pattern of HBV infection in HBV infected patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the serological pattern of hepatitis B infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This was a comparative cross sectional study carried out on 260 hepatitis B patients and blood donors attending hepatitis B clinics, and blood banks in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Military Hospital, Port Harcourt, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba. The study involved the use of hepatitis B panel assay, measurement of prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Port Harcourt, assessment of hepatitis B serological markers in all subjects, determination of the presence and prevalence of occult HBV among participants. HBV 5-parameter (panel) Rapid Test kit was used to assess HBV serological markers. Standard operation procedure, good laboratory practice, External/Internal Quality Control were used accordingly and Quality Assurance ensued. 84.2% participants were males, 15.8% females aged between 19 and 65 years, Mean ±SD age 30.57±9.70 years, Participants from 20 states, South-South, South-East, and other Geo-political Zones of Nigeria, resident in the cosmopolitan city of Port Harcourt were enrolled. Result obtained showed serological markers among test subjects as 77.3% HBsAg, 43.97% HBsAb, 48.94% HBcAg, 36.17% HBcAb, and 46.81% HBeAg.  Grouping of HBV panel assay result was HBV positive 1 (Occult HBV) 7.8% (n=11), HBV positive 2 73.76% (n=104), HBV positive 3 – (occult HBV post treatment) 14.18% (n=20), HBV positive 4 4.26% (n=6). All five serological markers of HBV in infected patients in PHC are evident in significant proportions indicating real infections at different stages of disease manifestation. Mass screening for HBV infection is recommended for our populace to check spread.