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Knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B amongst students of Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

[1]Ogban, G. I., *1Iwuafor, A. A., [2]Ushie, S. N., 1Emanghe, U. E., [3]Edadi, U. E., and 4Ekpe, L

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

2Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

3Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

4Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria                                       

*Correspondence to: tonyiwuafor@unical.edu.ng.com; +23408033441539

Connaissance et sensibilisation à l’hépatite B parmi les étudiants de l’Université des sciences médicales de Pamo (PUMS),Port Harcourt, État de Rivers, Nigéria

1Ogban, G. I., *1Iwuafor, A. A., 2Ushie, S. N., 1Emanghe, U. E., 3Edadi, U. E., et 4Ekpe, L.

1Département de Microbiologie Médicale et Parasitologie, Université de Calabar, Calabar, Nigéria

2Université Nnamdi Azikiwe, Awka, État d’Anambra, Nigéria

3Département de Médecine Interne, Université de Calabar, Calabar, Nigéria

4Département de Pathologie Chimique, Université de Calabar, Calabar, Nigéria

*Correspondance à: tonyiwuafor@unical.edu.ng.com; +23408033441539

 

Abstract:

Background: Globally, 296 million people were infected by hepatitis B in 2019, with 1.1 million deaths.  Africa is one of the endemic regions. Good knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B remain pivotal to the biosafety of medical students. This study sought to determine the levels of knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B among students of Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and the predicting factors associated with this knowledge and awareness. The is with the aim of providing recommendations for improving and sustaining biosafety levels for medical and other health-related students of the University. Continue reading “Knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B amongst students of Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria”

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The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review

[1]Alao, J. O., 1Oni, M. O., *[2]Bello, O. O., [3]Bejide, I. O., [4]Alao, O. J., and 3Komolafe O. I.

1Departmental of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria

2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria

3Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria

4Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: obello@unimed.edu.ng; +2348057892661

Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of worldwide cancerrelated death. Chronic hepatitis B infection, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to aflatoxins is fundamental in the formation of HCC in developing countries. This review of scientific publications aims to establish the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and highlights the correlation between aflatoxin and hepatitis B viral-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Research has shown a significant increase in the occurrence of HCC in HBV-infected individuals exposed to fungal toxins. HBV demonstrates the ability to integrate and bind to p53 protein in the host DNA and propagate hepatocyte vulnerability through carcinogenic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) damage. Although there has been clear evidence about the synergistic interaction of exposure to AFB1 and HBV infection in the induction of HCC, other literature has shown otherwise, mainly because incomplete and vague findings and hypotheses were made in regions where AFB1 and HBV pose a public health risk. Vaccination against hepatitis B and measures such as robust food safety systems to avoid hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced by AFB1 is the most effective methods in the prevention of HCC induced by HBV and AFB1. 

Continue reading “The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review”

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Transfusion transmissible viral infections among potential blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

AY Afolabi, A Abraham, EK Oladipo, AO Adefolarin, AH Fagbami

 

Abstract

It is evident that proper screening procedures prior blood transfusion is a cost-effective approach for prevention and control of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). Also, it has been documented that sub-standard test kits are mostly used in resource limited settings for transfusion related diagnosis. However, the role of such practice in epidemiology of transfusion transmissible viral infections in a tertiary health care facility would give an insight to the rates of blood transfusion associated viral transmission in the community at large. Therefore, the study was designed to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses among blood donors in a tertiary hospital where quality diagnostic procedures are considered prior recruitment of donors. Post ethical approval, counselled and consenting 507(M= 426; F=81) aged 19 to 68 years (Median age:39) potential blood donors were recruited and tested for HIV, HBsAg and anti-HCV using commercial ELISA testkit in strict compliance with the manufacturer’sprocedures. Overall results show rates of 2.0%, 5.9% and 1.4% for HIV, HBsAg and HCV respectively. Also, highest prevalence rates were recorded among age group 26 to 35 years as 2.6%, 7.2% and 2.1% for HIV, HBV and HCV respectively. Furthermore, higher prevalences rates were noted among unmarried individuals as 2.6%, 6.8% and 2.1% for HIV, HBV and HCV respectively.

Key words: Transfusion Transmissible Infections, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Blood Donors, University College Hospital (UCH), ELISA.

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Transfusion transmissible viral infections among potential blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

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The trend of hepatitis B surface antigenimia among teaching hospital patients in Kano

* 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