Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Blood Donors in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B and C are important causes of chronic liver disease. They can be transmitted by blood and blood products.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among voluntary blood donors in Makurdi, Benue State, from January 2010 to April 2013.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of data from the Bishop Murray Medical Centre blood bank. Data was collected with the permission of the hospital and analyzed through descriptive statistics. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 was used for the analysis. All samples were tested by rapid diagnostic test kits produced by Pistis Diagnostic Limited.

Results: Out of 1256 samples of voluntary blood donors, 164 were positive for viral hepatitis, 102 were HBV positive only, 60 HCV positive only, while 2 were positive for both. The HBV prevalence among blood donors in Makurdi was found to be 8.12% while HCV prevalence was 4.77%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections that spread through blood donations are significant and must be addressed on priority basis so as to reduce the disease burden of hepatitis in Nigeria.