The Sero-Prevalence Of Hepatitis C Virus (Hcv) Infection Among Prospective Blood Donors In Makurdi, Nigeria

摘要

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with its associated sequelae is a disease of major public health importance worldwide. This study analyzed the results of Hepatitis-C screening among blood donors at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi over a 12–month period (January – December, 2008), with a view to establishing the prevalence rate in this area of the Middle Belt of Nigeria.Methods: Results of hepatitis – C screening from the blood bank unit of the study Centre were reviewed for the twelve month period (Jan. – Dec. 2008). ?Screening for antiHCV was done using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. (ELISA kit)Results: A total of 1,400 samples were screened for hepatitis C over the one year period. The overall seropositivity rate was found to be 5.4% Conclusion: HCV infection is common in Makurdi. Adequate screening of prospective blood donors and the institution of adequate public health measures is advocated in order to reduce the transmission of this virus. Introduction HCV infection occurs frequently and is highly endemic in Nigeria1-7. This high prevalence has been confirmed by various studies from different parts of Nigeria among selected groups1, 2, 6, 7. The high prevalence of HCV infection and its sequelae, such as liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus makes HCV infection a disease of major public health importance world wide and in Nigeria in particular1-5,8-13. This study aims at analyzing the results of antiHCV screening among blood donors at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi over a 1 year period, Jan – Dec 2008 with a view to establishing the prevalence rate in Makurdi metropolis in Middle Belt of Nigeria. It is also hoped that the data generated will assist in the formulation of a hospital biohazard policy for the laboratories and other clinical departments here, and elsewhere in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. Subjects and Methods Subjects consisted of all blood donors who reported to the blood bank for bleeding between Jan and December 2008. Their blood samples were screened for antiHCV using ELISA based kits. Results Over the one- year period under study, a total of 1,400 samples wee screened, out of which 76 samples (5.4%) were positive for HCV antibodies. (Table 1) All donors were males. The peak age prevalence was in the fifth decade and above (10%), followed by a prevalence of 8% in the 3rd decade (21 – 30 yrs).