Sociodemographic Differences in the Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies among Children with Sickle Cell Anemia in Enugu; South East Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become an important cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. A study of the sociodemographic differences in the distribution of HCV antibodies (Anti-HCV) among those at risk will broaden knowledge of the problem among patients in this part of the country. Objective: To determine the sociodemographic differences in the distribution of HCV antibodies among transfused children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in Enugu and compare it with their non- transfused counterparts. Methodology: The study was conducted among two hundred and sixty-nine children with SCA attending the paediatrics sickle cell clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu; 136 transfused SCA patients as subjects and 133 age and sex matched non-transfused SCA as controls were studied. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the age and sex distribution of the anti-HCV positive subjects and controls P 0.05. Majority of the subjects (66.7) and control (71.4) who tested positive were in lower socio-economic class. Conclusion: HCV infection is not uncommon in children with SCA. There is no significant difference in the sociodemographic characteristics of the HCV positive subjects and controls