Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among Prospective Blood Donors at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the rate of infection with hepatitis B virus among prospective blood donors at University of Ilorin Teaching hospital, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty blood samples (160) were screened for possible detection of hepatitis B virus using Diaspot test strip. Eighteen (18) blood samples (11.25%) were found positive. Male donors had the prevalence of 11.25% and female donors recorded no prevalence. Similarly, prospective blood donors within the age group 21 – 30 and 31 – 40 years recorded prevalence of 4.38% each, followed by 41 – 50years (1.88%) and 11 -20 years recorded the lowest rate (0.63%) of infection. Blood donors in tertiary institutions recorded the highest rate (6.25%) of infection compared to other groups. Chi- square test revealed that the infection rates according to sex, age and educational status of the blood donors was not significant at p < 0.05. Although the infection rate was statistically insignificant, adequate proactive measures should be in place to further reduce the disease burden in the Kwara State.