Sero-Prevalence And Knowledge Of Hepatitis B Viral Infection Among Intending Kogi State Hajj Pilgrims For The Year 2025
Keywords:
HBV infection knowledge, Hepatitis B prevalence, Kogi, NigeriaAbstract
Hepatitis B viral infection is a major global public health threat, as the second deadliest communicable disease after tuberculosis, with about 254 million people living with the virus, 6,000 people infected each day and 2900 deaths per day. Nigeria is classified as a hyper endemic area and holds the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. Poor resource allocation has led to a poor surveillance system and limited data which has constrained a comprehensive understanding of the burden of HBV and impeded the implementation of effective prevention and treatment strategies geared towards the elimination of HBV infection in Nigeria.This study was a retrospective analysis of the records of 535 intending 2025 Hajj pilgrims from Kogi state, who were subjected to HBV serological screening test as part of their pre-Hajj medical screening exercise. Their biodata, socio-demographic data, knowledge of HBV, viral hepatitis, vaccination and HBSAg results were analyzed. Result showed participants means age of 40.5 years, 312 (58.3%) were males, while 223 (41.7%) were females. Prevalence of HBV infection was 15 (2.8%), 13 (86.7%) male and 2 (13.3%) female, 489 (91.4%) of the subjects reported no previous knowledge of HBV and viral hepatitis, 13(86.7%) of those who tested positive to HBsAg had no previous knowledge of HBV infection and only 8 (1.5%) participants were vaccinated. The study shows low prevalence of HBV infection, low level of knowledge and awareness of hepatitis viral infection and low rate of adult HBV vaccination
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