Prevalence of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus surface antigenemia in children in Ilesha, Osun state, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa with a range of 8 to 20% prevalence of chronic carriers. Most HBV infections occur early in life by perinatal transmission from the mother to her newborn baby, and horizontal transmission from child to child resulting from blood contact. This study was therefore carried out to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus surface antigenemia (HBsAg) in children born in Ilesha, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. A total of 144 children at age range 21 days to 13 years were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Ilesha using Bio-Rad Monolisa HBsAg Ultra kit [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ELISA method]. Twenty (13.9%) children were seropositive for HBsAg. The age bracket 1-5 years had the highest number of children and the highest number of HBsAg positive cases (15.8%). Female children had a higher HBsAg antigenemia of 15.4% compared to 12.7% for the male children. High prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was found among the children. Focus should be re-intensified on childhood vaccination and information dissemination on the risk and mode of transmission of HBV. Women especially, should be educated on HBV to prevent Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the infection.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in nigerian children prior to vaccine introduction into the national programme onimmunization schedule

“…The seropositivity of HBsAg in this study was 1.2%. This prevalence is less than most studies carried out in Nigerian children where the prevalence ranged from 4.1% to 44.7% [ 7 – 16 ]. Some of these studies were done in a hospital setting and had fewer sample size compared to the present study.…”

“…In this study, female children had a higher prevalence than their male counterparts though the difference did not reach the level of significance. Donbraye et al [ 16 ] working in Osun state, south west, Nigeria also showed higher prevalence in female children than males but the difference similarly did not reach significant level. Bukbuk et al [ 13 ] working in northern Nigeria also showed no significant difference between males and females.…”

“…Several studies in Nigerian children have recorded prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) ranging from 4.1% to 44.7% varying from one locale to another [ 7 – 16 ]. Some of these studies however were hospital based with obvious limitations and different screening methods were used.…”

Studies on the serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection among type 2 diabetic patients

“…Hence, it can be concluded that the distribution of HBV based on gender is not significant. Although a study carried out by Joanah et al (2016) also attests to an increased occurrence of HBV among females by a relative rate of 1.0%, Donbraye et al (2014) also recorded a higher prevalence of HBV in females compared to males in a study carried out in Osun State 18,19 …”

Sero-Epidemiological Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Young Adults in Omuaran-Community

“…Several studies in Nigerian children have recorded prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) ranging from 4.1% to 44.7% varying from one locality to another. Some of these studies however were hospital based with obvious limitations where different screening methods were used [12]. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent liver damage.…”