Prevalence and Socio-Demographics of Hepatitis B Surface Antiginaemia among Secondary school Children in an urban community Southeast Nigeria: A Cross sectional study

Authors

  • Amalachukwu Okwukweka Odita Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
  • Nkechinyere Godsgift Obichukwu Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
  • Ifeoma Egbuonu Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka
  • EF Ugochukwu Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria
  • John Onuora Chukwuka Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
  • Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

Keywords:

Prevalence, Endemicity, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Sociodemographics

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for a prevalent infectious disease in the world which is of public health importance due to its risk of chronicity with attendant high morbidity and mortality. Although it is a vaccine preventable disease, Nigeria is still highly endemic for HBV. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigenemia and sociodemographic characteristics among secondary school students in Onitsha.

Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study of Hepatitis B surface antigenemia in secondary schools’ students in Onitsha, South-East Nigeria. Participants were recruited using a multi-staged sampling technique and their HBsAg status was determined using MonalisaTM HBsAg Ultra ELISA kit.

Results: Out of the 751 students assessed, 57 were sero-positive to HBsAg giving a prevalence of 7.6%. The prevalence was more in males than females and students in the higher socioeconomic class were least affected. The highest prevalence was observed among students within the age group of 14-16years. Only 4.3% of the students had received HBV vaccine.

Conclusion: The endemicity of Hepatitis B in the study population calls for urgent action. This is because the infected students can be reservoirs for horizontal transmission. Furthermore, asymptomatic HBV infection can progress to chronic complications like liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the introduction of vaccination of adolescents against HBV in the school health program will be an effective way of controlling the high prevalence of HBV infection in this population.

Author Biographies

Amalachukwu Okwukweka Odita, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

 

Consultant Paediatrician

Ifeoma Egbuonu, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka

Professor of Paediatrics

John Onuora Chukwuka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

Professor of Paediatrics

Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

Consultant Paediatrician

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Published

2023-01-07

How to Cite

Odita, A. O., Obichukwu, N. G., Egbuonu, I., Ugochukwu, E., Chukwuka, J. O., & Okeke, K. N. (2023). Prevalence and Socio-Demographics of Hepatitis B Surface Antiginaemia among Secondary school Children in an urban community Southeast Nigeria: A Cross sectional study . The Nigerian Health Journal, 22(4), 339–347. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/590

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