ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study focused on socio-demographic characteristics of volunteers such as age, sex, marital status and location. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out among apparently healthy individuals of Akoko-Edo Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria between October 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: The HBsAg one step hepatitis B surface antigen test strip, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen in serum/plasma, was used for screening the volunteers. Result: Out of the 455 volunteers screened, 125 people (27.5%) were positive which consist of 49 male (28.7%) and 76 females (26.8%). Age related prevalence for HBsAg was 18.2% and 9.2% among those aged 10-40 and 40-70 years respectively. Among single individuals of 101, prevalence of 25.3% was recorded while only 6% (24) was recorded as prevalence among married individuals. This study also reveals that the highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed in Ojirami-Dam community with 40.3% prevalence while the least was observed in Umeme-Osu community with 16.4% prevalence. Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence of hepatitis B among children and young adult in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The incidence of the infection among individuals between ages of 10-40 years with 83 people infected (66.4%) calls for concern among the people of the area. This provides evidence for urgent public awareness and mass immunization of the people in area.