Studies on the Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Among Students

Background and Objective: Globally, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a major public health issue responsible for most cases of liver inflammation and complications worldwide. This study determines the prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia (HBsAg), its risk factors and the serological markers among the study subjects. Materials and Methods: A well-structured questionnaire was administered to consenting participants. Two hundred and ten volunteers were involved in the study. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture under aseptic conditions. Using the HBsAg test strip, the sera obtained were tested for the HBsAg (Acon Laboratory incorporated USA). Assay for qualitative assessment of Seromakers was carried out using the HBV-5 panel test kit. Results: A prevalence of 22 (10.5%) among subjects screened. Considering gender, male subjects showed 5.7% positivity, while the female subjects recorded 4.8% [p-value 0.736 (p>0.05)]. Considering age distribution subjects aged 16-25 years recorded a prevalence of 7.1%, [p-value 0.001 (p<0.05)]. Clinical risk factors showed that 2.9% had a record of previous STD infection. Based on lifestyle, intravenous drug users and subjects that shared unsterilized sharp objects recorded a prevalence of 7.2%, [p-value of 0.027 (p<0.05)]. Considering markers for HBV infection among seropositive subjects screened, the HBsAg marker showed positivity of 19 (100%) compared to the marker for HBeAg which recorded 4 (21.0%). Anti-HBs, showed 7 (37.0%) positivity while the anti-HBc marker showed a positive record of 14 (74.0%). Conclusion: This findings hence demands an urgent need for public health enlightenment among the population, while vaccination of individuals amongst the study group is strongly advocated.