Hepatitis B virus among potential blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the agents of transmissible transfusion infection (TTI) and causes threat to blood safety for recipients. Blood transfusion is one of the pathway in which HBV is being transmitted. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of HBV among potential blood donors at Blood Bank of University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. Over a period of 6 months (February to July, 2010), 507 consenting potential blood donors, were tested for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) using a convenient sampling technique. Pre-test counselling sessions was done, before validated questionnaire was administered, for data collection and laboratory serological test was done. The mean age of the study participants was 32.7 ± 9.2 years. A total of 30(5.9%) were positive for HBsAg. HBsAg rate was highest among age group of 26 to 35 which is 14 (7.2%), males 26 (6.1%), others among occupational group 2 (9.5%), level of education {illiterate} 01 (11.1%) and unmarried, 13 (6.8%). The rate of HbsAg in this study were lower than previous studies in Nigeria perhaps this is due to effective prevention control programme, through provision of vaccines and immunization in accordance with Nigeria Federal ministry of health guidelines on Hepatitis B, and other vaccine preventable diseases, and the public enlightment on transmissible transfusion infections.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, blood donors, Ibadan, TTI, surface antigen.