Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody among undergraduates in Ogbomosho, South-Western Nigeria

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), among a healthy university undergraduate population in south-western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Relevant medical information of students who underwent the post-admission screening exercise for the year 2012, at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Health Center, Ogbomoso were extracted from the laboratory log book. All tests were done using rapid anti-HCV test kit by Health - Chem diagnostics, USA. A total of 1,572 students were included in the study. The mean age was 19.61 (} 2.75) years while the age range was 15- 50 years. A total of 821 (52.20%), of the subjects were males while 751 (47.80%) were females. More than ninety nine percent (99.90%) of the subjects were aged 15-30 years, whereas those aged .31 years were comparatively few (0.60%). Results: Of the 1572 students, 6 tested positive, giving an overall prevalence of 0.40%. Three (0.37%) of the 821 male subjects tested positive while 3(0.40%) also of the 751 female subjects tested positive. Age-group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of anti - HCV (0.50%), followed by agegroups . 20 years with 0.30% prevalence. None of the subjects in age-groups 31-40 and . 41 years tested positive. Conclusion: These observed differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus is low among the young healthy undergraduate population in the south - western region of Nigeria

Dyspepsia Management in a Resource Poor Setting

"Background: Dyspepsia has a significant impact on the quality of life of the sufferer; and results in enormous societal costs; either due to direct medical costs for physician visits; diagnostic tests; medications; or indirect costs from absenteeism or reduced productivity at work. It is therefore important to explore the management options available; especially in a resource poor setting like Nigeria; in the light of the foregoing. Methods: Extensive internet literature search was made through Google scholar; Pubmed and HINARI. Keywords employed were dyspepsia; prevalence and management. Result: Several approaches proposed for the management of a newly diagnosed patient with dyspepsia include: empirical trial of acid suppression for 4-8 weeks in regions with low prevalence of H. pylori ; the ""test and treat"" approach for H. pylori infection using a validated non-invasive test and; initial use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to determine the nature of the disease before treatment in patients with alarm symptoms and those who are more than 45 years. Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy without initial diagnostic testing can be used as the last result in resource poor regions of the word where diagnostic tests for H. pylori are not available or not cost-effective.Conclusion: Considering the high cost of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in developing countries like Nigeria; it seems reasonable that the 'test and treat' method will be of immense usefulness in population sub-group who are less than 45 years without alarm symptoms; while those with alarm symptoms and those with onset of symptoms after 45 years will require initial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy."