Knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection among traders.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health problem in Nigeria, with 13% of its general population having evidence of a previous or current infection. Lack of awareness of HBV, its risk factors, and its consequences are recognized as major deterrents to adopting positive preventive behavior including immunization among HBV high-risk groups. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of HBV infection among traders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured KAP questionnaire on HBV infection was administered to traders as part of the activities to mark the World Hepatitis Day in 2014. A score was created for the correct answer to 20 questions. RESULTS: A total of 335 traders were interviewed for this study. The mean age was 33.08 ± 13.8 years and the median age was 29 years. There were 165 males and 170 females. Majority of the traders had secondary education (57.1%) and were of the Ibibio and Igbo tribes. Only 10.4% had HBV vaccination. Only 44.2% of the traders reported having any knowledge of HBV. The most common source for the knowledge was television/radio (25%) and hospitals (22%). The median (interquartile range) of the overall KAP score was low (11, 5-16). The score was least in persons aged 35 years and above, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). CONCLUSION: The knowledge of HBV is low among traders in Calabar metropolis. There is need to intensify educational campaigns for the general public.

Prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses, and evaluation of risk factors for transmission: Report of a population screening in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are common blood-borne infections unevenly distributed across regions in Nigeria. Few population-based prevalence studies have been done in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV and risk factors for infection with these viruses in a Nigerian population. METHODS: Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV and HIV were assayed in 1 498 healthy adult participants. A structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors for viral acquisition. Bivariate analysis was used to compare differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Significant risk factors were identified by stepwise logistic regression. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalences of HBV, HCV and HIV were 8.8%, 10.0% and 12.9%, respectively, with urban/rural disparity. HBV/HCV positivity was higher among males than females. The reverse was true for HIV. Age was significantly associated with being HBV-, HCV- or HIV-positive. Communal use of a toothbrush was significantly associated with HBV positivity in the final model (odds ratio 2.46, 95% confidence interval 1.45 - 4.18). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infection is high in Nigeria, with urban/rural disparity. HCV may be more of a public health concern than HBV in some communities. Population-based studies are required to provide vital data to inform optimal national control strategies.