Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigenaemia in Children Attending the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Summary

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the organism responsible for one of the most prevalent chronic infectious diseases and is widespread throughout the world.

Objectives: The sero-prevalence of HBV infection among children presenting to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Nigeria was investigated with a view to assessing the scope of HBV infection among children in this part of the country and correlating serological findings to epidemiological data.

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 276 children attending the paediatric clinics of UMTH from July 2007 to December 2007. The subjects were recruited consecutively, from the population of patients aged four months to 15 years. A protocol detailing epidemiological data, history of HBV vaccination and physical examination was completed for each of the patients. All the study samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by the ELISA method, making use of Wellcozyme HBsAg commercial kits (Wellcome Diagnostics, Dartford, England). .

Results: The overall prevalence of HBsAg among children tested was 9.4 percent. The highest frequency of HBsAg was observed in children two years and below (38 percent). HBs antigenaemia was higher among males than females, although the difference was not statistically significant (x2 = 0.861. df =1 p = 0.354). No significant difference was observed between HBsAg status and socio-economic class (SEC) of the study population (X? = 6.930. df = 4 p=0.140). There was however, a significant association between lack of immunisation and HBs antigenaemia (Fisher's exact test p < 0.000, RR = 0.463; 0.370-0.580).

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBs antigenaemia among children in Maiduguri was high. HBV predominantly infects children in their infancy and early childhood without a significant gender disparity. Lack of HBV vaccination was significantly associated with HBsAg positivity.

Keywords: Seroprevalence, HBsAntigenaemia