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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2023)
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus and their effect on serum albumin and liver aminotransferases among staff and students of Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors
Ezema A Mabel, Queen C Maduagwu
Abstract
Infection with
hepatitis B and C viruses is a serious health issue that causes a sizable part
of liver illnesses globally. This study examined the prevalence of hepatitis B
and C viruses in Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State. The
blood samples of 3000 consenting Staff and students were randomly collected and
screened using rapid serological methods. HBV markers were determined using a
HBV 5 in 1 Panel cassette (Century Care Ltd); while antibody to HCV was
detected using anti-HCV test strip (Nantong Egens Biotechnology Co. Ltd
Hamburg, Germany (FEDECO). The demographic and clinical information of the
participants were collected using structured questionnaires. The prevalence of each viral infection (HBV and
HCV) was determined using simple percentage. The t- test was employed to
determine the relationships between age and presence of risk factors with HBV
and HCV infection at P < 0.05. Also, t-test was used for AST, ALT and
albumin level. The results of the prevalence of hepatitis B revealed that out of the 260 number of
positive samples, 128 (49%) were male and 132 (51%) were female. 0 (0%) were
16-20yrs, 124 (48%) were 21-25yrs, 127 (49%) were 26-30yrs and 9 (3%) were >31yrs
above. 253 (97%) were single and 7 (3%) were married. 259 (100%) were students
and 1 (0%) were staff. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus results revealed
that out of the 12 number of positive samples, 12 (100%) were male and 0 (0%)
were female. 0 (0%) were 16-20yrs, 4 (33%) were 21-25yrs, 7 (58%) were 26-30yrs
and 1 (8%) were >31yrs above. 11 (92%) were single and 1 (8%) were
married. 11 (92%) were students and 1 (8%) were staff. Risk factors associated
with the occurrence of hepatitis B and C virus infection includes sharing of
sharp objects, history of blood transfusion, tattooing/ear piercing, sharing of
toothbrush, smoking, intravenous drug use and sexual intercourse. In
HbsAg and HCV, the number of positive samples of AST was higher compared to the
ALT. The blood plasma protein (Albumin) of hepatitis B and C virus revealed
that in both HbsAg and HCV, the number of positive samples of Albumin was
higher compared to the negative samples. The authors concluded that hepatitis B
and C infection is present among staff and students of Federal College of
Education, Pankshin with a low prevalence rate of 1.5%, whereas there was no
record of HBV/HCV co-infection among the study population, therefore the
on-going public health campaign programme against Hepatitis B and C should be
sustained.
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Pages:60-67
How to cite this article:
Ezema A Mabel, Queen C Maduagwu "Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus and their effect on serum albumin and liver aminotransferases among staff and students of Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria". International Journal of Biology Research, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 60-67
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