Prevalence and Risky Health behaviours Associated with Hepatitis B and C Infection among Blood Donors in Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Infections from Hepatitis B and C viruses are gradually becoming a major public health challenge especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where prevalence is high with numerous chronic carriers harbouring the viruses in their liver. Chronic infection can lead to lethal consequences. Blood transfusion which is a common cause of Hepatitis B and C infections is still common in resource poor setting where adequate screening of blood might be a challenge. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and risky health behaviours associated with Hepatitis B and C infections among blood donors in Ogun State. A descriptive retrospective study was carried out on 2044 Blood donors to National Blood Transfusion Service, Ogun State in year 2014 using pro-forma to obtain needed information and data was analyzed using SPSS. Prevalence of Hepatitis B (10.7%) and Hepatitis C (1.1%) was high among blood donors in the state. Age 21-40years (75% and P-value 0.015), Divorce/Separation (0.7% and P-value 0.001) and Yoruba tribe (85.2% and P-value 0.000) are significantly associated with Hepatitis B infection among blood donors. Age >40years (13.3% and P-value 0.007), Divorce/Separation (0.7% and P-value 0.039) and Yoruba tribe (85.2% and P-value 0.001) are significantly associated with Hepatitis C infection among blood donors. Risky health behaviours among blood donors include tattooing, occupational needle injury, untreated sexually transmitted diseases and multiple sexual partners. The study recommends education of the population on risk factors and effect of Viral Hepatitis.