Prevalence of Hepatitis B amgonst Asymptomatic Persons Visiting Braithwait Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem; it infects more than 400 million people worldwide. In recent years, the overall prevalence of this virus has declined due to its vaccine that is now in circulation. Hepatitis B virus causes liver injury by an immune response against the virus-infected liver cells but it’s not directly cytopathic, but immunosuppression enhances replication and can lead to direct cytotoxicity. In this study, A survey was conducted amongst 200 randomly selected general out-patients within the ages of 10-80 years with pregnant women inclusive who are attending the Braithwait Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) Nigeria, in order to ascertain the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among patients attending Braithwait Memorial Specialist Hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria and the general knowledge of the people about this highly infectious disease. Sera collected were screened for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen () using Labacon Diagnostic Test Strip (Hangzhou Biotest Biotech Co., Ltd China) and a total of 32 out of the 200 respondents tested positive of Hepatitis B surface antigen, giving a percentage of 16% (32/200).Questionnaires were distributed to the subjects in order to ascertain their perceptions about the disease, and to obtain useful socio-demographic information. There was a poor management and prevention control of the disease and this may have accounted for the prevalence of 16% in the study population.