Abstract

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Sera of some individuals (260 males and 230 females) resident at a Niger Delta region of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV) using the rapid chromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Out of a total of 490 collected and examined samples, 4.08% tested positive for HBV antibodies. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the prevalence of HBV in the males (5.77%) and the prevalence of the virus in the females (2.17%). The age- and sex-stratified distribution of HBV amongst the study population shows that the seroprevalence of HBV was highest (11.11%) in individuals that were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and least (3.45%) in individuals that were between the ages of 23 and 32 years. Males that were between the ages of 13 and 22 were more significantly infected than females within that age group. None of the males and females that were more than 23 years was infected with the virus. In the wake of the present results there is need for personal and governmental preventive measures for HBV control to be mounted in this study area. Such extensive surveillance and intervention strategies must ensure that all individuals at risk infection be vaccinated. Post-exposure prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin should also be administered to non-immune individuals.

Keywords: Voluntary, counselling, testing, HBV, ELISA, Niger Delta, Nigeria