Prevalence of HBsAg and HIV among blood donors in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Important among the transfusion transmissible infection are hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV virus infections. Also, co-infection of these two viruses is a rapidly growing issue of public health concern. This study is embarked upon to determine the prevalence these two viruses and their co-infection among blood donors in our environment. HBsAg was detected in each serum sample by means of an immuno-chromatographic mini strip (Clinotech Diagnostics, Richmond, Canada). Antibodies to HIV-1 and 2 were detected in each serum sample by means of an immuno-chromatographic test strip (Abbot Determine HIV 1 and 2, Boehringer, Germany) strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions in all the processes. Of 624 donors screened (age range 18 to 65 years), 124 donors (19.9%) were positive for HBsAg; 19.6% males and 21.0% females (P = 0.7080, 95% CI 0.5654 to 1.493). Twenty one (3%) donors were positive for HIV-1 antibody; 3.4% males and 3.2% females (P = 1.000, 95% CI 0.3488 to 3.196) and 3 donors (0.5%) were positive for combined HBsAg and HIV-1 antibodies, 0.4% males and 3.8% females (P = 0.4861, 95% CI 0.04440 to 5.495). HIV-2 antibody was not detected in any of the sample and there was no invalid result with both the HBsAg and HIV test kits. The result of this study shows that the prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV infections is high among apparently healthy blood donors of all gender and age groups and therefore the need to mandate all organization involved in blood banking to ensure proper screening of blood units prior to transfusion in order to reduce the risk of HBV and HIV infections among recipients of donated blood and the community at large.

Keywords: Sero-prevalence, HBsAg, HIV, blood donor, Osun State.