Prevalence of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus surface antigenemia in children in Ilesha, Osun state, South-Western Nigeria

Studies on the serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection among type 2 diabetic patients

Background

Hepatitis B infection is a public health concern globally. HBV can be associated with type II diabetes mellitus, as HBV outbreaks have been observed among diabetics in healthcare facilities. This study evaluates the prevalence of HBV infection among patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

Method

A total of one hundred and eighty (180) diabetic patients and one‐hundred non‐diabetics (Controls) were recruited for this study. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consented participants to obtain relevant data. Sera samples obtained were screened using the HBsAg ELISA kit; CTK Biotech, Inc, while the 5 panel kit—rapid diagnostic test, was used to assay for serological markers. Questionnaires were used to obtain relevant information and demographic data.

Result

Overall prevalence of HBV infection among diabetes patients was 13.3%. Breakdown showed 9 (5.0%) seropositivity was obtained among male subjects compared to 15(8.3%) recorded among the females, P = .834; P < .05. Subjects aged 41‐50 years recorded, 7(3.9%) positivity P = .774; P > .05. Educational status of participants showed 22 (12.2%) positivity among subjects with tertiary level of education P = .032; P < .05). Risk factors considered showed that 5(2.8%).seropositive subjects were alcoholic consumers (P value = .9711; P > .05). Result among non‐diabetics (Control) subjects showed (4%) seropositivity among the male subjects compared to (5.0%) seropositivity recorded among the female subjects (P = .739; P > .05).

Conclusion

There is an indication of higher risk of HBV infection among type 2 diabetic patients when compared to non‐diabetics. There is the need for more research on this area of study, to further validate the association between HBV infection and Diabetes Mellitus.

Hepatitis B virus infection among Nigerian pediatric population

Hepatitis B infection has continued to be a growing global health concern in spite of the discovery and administration of hepatitis B vaccines over the years. The focus of this study was to evaluate the burden of this infection among asymptomatic pediatric population. Children, who visited the hospital between March and August 2018, were recruited into this study. Blood samples were collected after obtaining informed consent. The samples were processed and screened for HBsAg. Data were analyzed using chi-square statistic. Six (2.9%) of the 206 children in the study were positive for HBsAg. A hundred (48.5%) of the children were males and 106 (51.5%) were females in the ratio 1:1.1 (male to female). More male tested positive (4%) (4/96) than their female counterparts (1.9%) (2/104)(x² = 0.813; p = .367). Age group 13-18 years had the highest infection rate 6.6% (4/57), followed by age group 5-12 years with 3.8% (2/50). No HBV detection was recorded among those below the age of 5 years. Patients with no vaccination history had a higher HBV infection rate (4.2%) compared with those who had been vaccinated (1.1%) (x² = 1.164; p = .281). The study showed that HBV infection is of intermediate endemicity among the study population, a reflection of the endemic status of the infection in Nigeria. Vaccination effort among children should be sustained and intensified. We advocate for a more intensive public enlightenment on the infection especially among women of marriageable age.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Compliance to Standard Safety Precautions among Scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Scavengers, due to the nature of their work, are at risk of various occupational hazards while sorting for materials for recycling and sale. They are exposed to blood borne infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from injuries from sharps and contact with discarded materials due to non-compliance with standard precautions.

OBJECTIVE

The present study assessed the prevalence of HBV and compliance with safety precautions among scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 scavengers (comprised of scavengers dealing with biomedical wastes and those that were not) using structured questionnaires during the first stage of the study and a second testing stage. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0 for descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HBV infection among the scavengers was found to be 17.4%, indicating that scavengers are at high risk of HBV infection. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of HBV among scavengers that handled biomedical wastes and those that did not. The majority of the scavengers (74.2%) did not have knowledge of or use standard precautions such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The level of injuries was considerably high and the treatment of injuries among scavengers illustrated their lack of awareness of the hazards involved in their occupations, as the majority of respondents (51.3%) engaged in self-treatment of occupational injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

The probable pathway for virus transmission was waste handling, especially biomedical waste, which is mostly handled with bare hands without standard safety precautions. Vaccination against HBV, proper personal hygiene practices, regular training in occupational safety, monitoring by regulatory agencies and inclusion of scavengers in a mandatory health insurance scheme are recommended to control the risk of HBV infection among scavengers.

INFORMED CONSENT

Obtained.

ETHICAL APPROVAL

This study was approved by the Kwara State Ministry of Health Ethical Review Committee. Permission was also granted by the scrap dealers association through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency that oversees issues relating to the environment and public health in the state.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare no competing financial interests.