Obed Tiwah John, Abdulhafiz Lamiya and Danjuma Kamlen Adda DOWNLOAD PDF
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by some hepatrophic viruses that indiscriminately infect all populations with certain sub-populations being more at risk/vulnerable to the infection. The highest burden of the infection is seen in sub-saharan Africa with Nigeria belonging to the highly endemic countries with Taraba state having the highest burden in the country. It is undisputable that data regarding the prevalence of this infection is key in the prevention, management and control of epidemic by responsible bodies and authorities globally. However, data regarding viral hepatitis among at risk population remain scanty and continuous to prevail despite the endemicity of the disease in the region. It is against this background that this study determined the prevalence of the disease among some selected at risk populations in Jalingo who were seeking viral hepatitis treatment in center for initiative and development Taraba, Taraba state of Nigeria. A total of 397 individuals comprising of 160 health care workers and 237 people living with HIV were considered for the study. Total male participants were 138 and 259 females within age range of 8-80 years. Out of the total participants, 46/397(11.6%) were reported to be positive for HBV out of which 9(2.27%) were HCW and 37(9.32%) were PLHIV. However, no statistically significant association between at-risk-population and HBV was observed. A total of 54/397(13.6%) were positive to HCV out of which 17(4.28%) were HCW and 37(9.32%) were PLHIV but no significant association between at-risk population and HCV was observed. Infection by the viruses were observed in all the age groups of the population. A total of 5/397 participants (1.26%) were coinfected with viral hepatitis B and C out of which (0(0%), 1(0.25%)) were Males and females HCWs respectively while (0(0%), 4(1.01%)) were males and females PLHIV respectively. The age group between 22-33 and 34-45 recorded 20(5%) each for HBV while the age group of 70+ recorded 0(0%) prevalence for HBV. The age group of 34-45 recoded the highest prevalence of 23(5.8%) for HCV infection while the age group of 58-69 recorded 0(0%) followed by 70+ who recorded 2(0.5%). The findings of this study reported a high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection amongst the at risk population.
Key words: Viral hepatitis; health care workers; people living with HIV and co-infection