PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS A AND B AMONG STUDENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA, NASARAWA STATE

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS A AND B AMONG STUDENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA, NASARAWA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A and hepatitis B antibodies among students attending the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. 5ml of blood sample was collected from 100 respondents whose demographic data was captured using questionnaire. Commercial diagnostic tools manufactured by Aria diagnostic incorporation U.S.A was used. HBsAg( hepatitis B surface antigen) was found to be higher in males 9.09% than in females also the highest prevalence of 6.25% was recorded in the age group of 21-25 years. Respondents of middle class socioeconomic status had the highest prevalence of 7.04% and those with three or more sex partners has the highest prevalence of 7.69%. None of the sample tested was positive for hepatitis A. This study shows the study area is moderately endemic for hepatitis B. Effort should be made to enlighten the community on ways to curtail the spread and encouraged people to go for hepatitis B vaccine immunization. Also having protective sexual intercourse should be encouraged.

CHAPTER  ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0       INTRODUCTION   

            Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress his fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer, hepatitis in the world but other inflections, toxic substances (e.g alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.(Noubiap et al., 2015).

            There are five (5) main hepatitis viruses, referred to as type A,B,C,D and E. These five types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread in particular, type B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. (Fonguernie et al., 2015).  

            Hepatitis A viruses (HAV) is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread hepatitis A virus (HAV). Infection are in many cases mild. With most people making a full recovering and remaining immune from further HAV infections. However, HAV infections can also be server and life threatening. Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus, HAV infection usually make adults sick with symptoms including fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal crabs headaches, poor appetite, save and infective vaccines are available to prevent HAV (Koziel and Peter 2007).

            Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluid. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infant at the time of birth or from family member to infants in early childhood. Transfusion of HBV contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injection during medical procedures, and through injection drug use, HBV also poses risk to health care workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected HBV patient (Forbi et al; 2007).

            You can have HAV without having any symptoms, and sometimes it will clear up naturally without progressing to a chronic infection, leaving you with immunity. People who have chronic HBV infection, however, can develop liver disease, liver failure cause of chronic disease Alhuraiji et al; 2014).

            When someone is infected with both hepatitis A and B viruses we say that  they are “co-infection” (Noutiap et al; 2015).

1.1       STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

            Hepatitis has been reported to be prevalent among young adolescent in Nigeria and North central Nigeria.

1.2       JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

            This study is being carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa because there is dearth of information (electronic, print and journal) on the prevalence of these viruses, hence the need for this research.   

1.3       AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY    

 AIM  

• To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A and B viruses among of students of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.
• OBJECTIVE
• To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A in the study population
• To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B in the study population.
• To determine co-infection of hepatitis A and B virus infection.
• To determine prevalence in relation demographic factor.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

            Hepatitis is a virus that result in liver damage. The virus is not the actual cause for the liver damage  but it is caused by the immune system response. It can be spread from person to person. Infection by the virus can cause an acute infection or can become a chronic condition. Treatment are based on the form of hepatitis virus, acute or chronic.

            Hepatitis B virus is the etiological agent of hepatitis B. hepatitis B is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood to blood contact, semen, vaginal discharge, breast milk, and saliva by the reservoir of humans. It can also be transmitted during childbirth (El-Mortada  2010).

            The characteristic of hepatitis B are that it is a DNA virus and is in the family of hepadnaviridae. Test that are performed on an individual to check for the hepatitis B virus are hepatitis B surface antigen test, hepatitis B e-antigen test, and HBV DNA testing, hepatitis B surface antibody test. Hepatitis surface antigen test can detects HBV before symptoms occur. It test for HBsAg antibodies and if the antibodies are present the individual is still contagious. Hepatitis B surface antibody test determine if an individual was infected and recovered from the disease at some point. Hepatitis B surface antibody test detects HBsAg antigen. The presents of HBsAg antigens determines that the individual was infected at some point and is no longer contagious. Hepatitis B e-antigen test finds the HBV protein. It is established during a current infection and can determine how contagious an individual is. HBV DNA in a patient. Elevated level of HBV DNA shows that the patient is currently infected with the hepatitis B virus, the virus is multiplying and the patient is highly contagious (Essing 2009).