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).

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS VIRUS INFECTION AMONG STUDENTS

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS VIRUS INFECTION AMONG STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This shows the prevalence of Hepatitis virus among students of federal polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State Nigeria. One hundred (100) blood samples among women attending antenatal in general hospital Nasarawa were examined for Hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg) and One hundred blood samples were obtained from the students of federal polytechnic Nasarawa and screened for the same virus using a smack test kits. Out of 100 samples screened for pregnant women 12 (12%) were positive and for the hundred samples screened among the students10 (10%) were positive making the prevalence to be higher in pregnant women than the student population. HBsAg was more prevalent among people within the age group 26-30 years both in pregnant women and the students population (13.84% and 5.71%) than the age group 21-25 years (5.71%). From the study, there was statistical significance in relation to history of hepatitis and history of operation, while Age, Number of sex partner, Socio-economic status, History of transfusion and Marital status shows no significance. This shows that Hepatitis B is less prevalent in Nasarawa among the student population as compared to the pregnant women. This called for the need to intensify the awareness campaign on Hepatitis B among pregnant women.                                        

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis virus is an infectious illness of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects apes, including humans (Chang,2007; Barker et al.,1996). It was originally known as “serum hepatitis^. The acute illness causes liver inflammation, vomiting, jaundice, and, rarely, death. Chronic hepatitis B may eventually cause cirrhosis and liver cancer—a disease with poor response to all but a few current therapies. The infection is preventable by vaccination.

The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids, while viral DNA has been detected in the saliva, tears, and urine of chronic carriers. Perinatal infection is a major route of infection in areas of the world where the disease is common (Chang, 2007). Other risk factors for developing HBV infection include working in a healthcare setting, transfusions, dialysis, sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person, travel in countries where it is common, and living in an institution. Tattooing and acupuncture led to a significant number of cases in the 1980s; however, this has become less common with improved sterility. The hepatitis B viruses cannot be spread by holding hands, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or breastfeeding.

Hepatitis virus is a hepadnavirus—hepa from hepatotropic (attracted to the liver) and dna because it is a DNA virus—and it has a circular genome of partially double-stranded DNA. The viruses replicate through an RNA intermediate form by reverse transcription, which in practice relates them to retroviruses. Although replication takes place in the liver, the virus spreads to the blood where viral proteins and antibodies against them are found in infected people. The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV (Hiu et al., 2005)

1.1       Statement of problem

Some viral infections have been properly managed, but hepatitis virus which is likely to cause chronic long-term illness and permanent damage to the liver if not properly managed or treated, has been partially neglected in some areas or parts of the world.

The major problem is the fact that people live with the virus unknowingly until it develops into liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. This is because effective public health policy and awareness campaign for the need to know one’s hepatitis status is lacking. Are people even aware of this hepatitis virus? How can it be transmitted? What are the signs, symptoms and prevention and control?

1.2       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• Are people  aware of this virus called hepatitis?
• What is the mode of transmission?
• Who is susceptible?  

1.3       AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Aim

To compare the prevalence of Hepatitis Virus infection among students of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

Objectives

• To determine the prevalence of HV surface antigen among students.
• To identify the demographic factors and other risk factors responsible for the infection.