PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 6, No. 1, April 2022
Pages 378-385
DOI: 10.36108/pajols/2202/60.0120
Carriage of Hepatitis B Virus and Risk Factors among Health Care Workers in Ogun State
Olubunmi A. Osinupebi1, Michael O. Binuyo1, Taiwo A. Banjo1, Chioma S. Osuagwu2 and Christopher O. Nanna3
1Department of of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu
2Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba.
3Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye
Abstract
Background: Health-care workers (HCWs) are often exposed to potentially infectious body fluids-carrying Hepatitis B virus (HBV) from their workplaces. Typically, most asymptomatic HBV carriers-status may remain unnoticed for decades, despite a few percentages of them with vaccination history. In this study, we aimed at investigating asymptomatic carriage of HBV and its associated risk factors among co-health workers ultimately impacting on patients.
Methods: Venous blood samples and demographic data were obtained from a cross sectional survey of HCWs categories working in OOUTH, a referral teaching hospital and other selected health facilities in Ogun state. Immuno-chromatographic discs and Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent assay (ELISA) techniques were adopted for
the determination and confirmation of the presence of HBsAg, anti-HBs and total anti-HBc in sera. A structured questionnaire was used for obtaining demographic data which were analyzed by regression analytical technique.
Results: About 11.44% (43) of the 376 healthcare workers (HCWs), were infected with HBV. The serological marker of viral particles identified in this positive study population included Hepatitis B envelope antigen (53.49%), Hepatitis Core antigen (13.15%), Hepatitis B surface antibodies (3.99%); and Hepatitis B core antibodies (0.80%). A significant association existed between risk factors such as recapping of used needles and carriage of HBV among the HCWs (p-value =0.017).
Conclusion: The carriage rate (11.44%) of HBV among HCWs in Ogun state referral health facilities as against the 8% set standard by W.H.O. in 2009, depict the associated risk factors of asymptomatic carriage, pathogenesis and dissemination in and outside of the health facilities.
Keywords: Hepatitis B, Health-care workers, ELISA, immuno-chromatographic, antigen, serological markers.