Surveillance of anti-HCV antibody amongst in-school youth in a Nigeria university

Abstract

Infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a public health problem. Worldwide, there are about 170 million people infected with HCV. HCV is transmitted through sex and use of contaminated sharp objects during tattooing or intravenous drug abuse. These routes make youth to be more vulnerable. Transfusion and mother to child transmissions are also documented modes. This study was carried out to determine sero-prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among in school youth at Achievers University, Owo in southwest Nigeria. Samples of blood were collected from 70 undergraduate students and sera harvested were tested for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus by Enzyme Immunoassay Technique. Most participants fall within age range 21-25 (91.4%). The study showed that none of the subjects was positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Education and awareness level might have impacted positively on this outcome. Thus routine screening for HCV and sustained awareness creation activities to eradicate HCV and its attendant consequences from our society is of paramount importance.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection among Students of a Private Tertiary Institution in South-Western Nigeria

“…Pakistan and NursingCollege Students of Central India indicated to have knowledge and awareness of HBV infection as reported by Ghouri et al[38] and Mahore et al[39], respectively.With regard to HCV infection, a zero (0%) prevalence rate was recorded in this current study as none of the participants were positive for antibody to Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV). This agrees with the work of Muhibi et al[40] and Alquatani et al[24], who both reported zero (0%) prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among undergraduate students of Achievers University, Owo in south-west Nigeria, as well as among Health Students in the Najran region of South-Western Saudi Arabia, respectively. The outcome of this study however differ slightly from the work of Hebo et al[23] who reported a prevalence of 0.42% among Health Workers of University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia, as well as that of Jemilohun et al[41] who reported a prevalence rate of 0.40% among undergraduate Student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State, south-west Nigeria.…”

Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis among Antenatal Women at a Private Hospital in Enugu: A 5-Year Retrospective Review

“…However, the studies were done in different regions with different population demographics. In another study done among students of Achievers University Idashen, Owo, in south-western Nigeria involving 70 respondents, the seroprevalence of hepatitis-C was 0% [13] similar to our finding. This could also be due to the small number of responds involved in the study.…”