* Nwokedi, E.E. ; ** Emokpae, M. A.; * Taura, A.A.;* Dutse, A. I.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence and trend of Hepatitis B Virus infection in 2966 patients attending clinics of Aminu
Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeira was determined over a 3 year period 2001 to 2003. The samples
was initially screened by latex agglutination techniques while the positive samples repeated by Enzyme
linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique for confirmation. A seroprevalence of 23.3% units with
coefficient variation of 22.5 to 24.1% were reported during the study period. More males (24.1%) than
females 21.5% patients were observed to be seropositive for HBsAg. The differences was not however
statistically significant. The overall trend in HBsAg seropositivity over the study period showed 21.7% in
2001, 24.7% in 2002 and 22.4% in 2003 respectively. Despite the availability of methods by which these
viruses can be detected and surveillance activities to reduce the occurrence of the infection, the virus
continues to constitute threat to health of the individuals. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to
reappraise the need to intensify preventive measures in order to reduce the trend of HBV infections.
Key Words: Hepatitis B, HbsAg, Blood, Serum, Samples
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The trend of hepatitis B surface antigenimia among teaching hospital patients in Kano