Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Attending the University Medical Centre, Awka for Medical Examinations

Background: Hepatitis caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a vaccine preventable disease but still highly endemic in Nigeria. Unsafe practices among students have heightened the risk of HBV transmission. Aim: The aim of the study was to conduct a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Hepatitis B virus infection amongst 250 students attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Center, Awka. Methods: A total of 250 blood samples were collected from the students that consented to the study. The blood sample was spinned, and the plasma was used. The hepatitis B test strip kit (Spodex kitR) was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographic characteristics of students. The data was entered in a Microsoft Excel data base. Data were statistically described in terms of frequency and percentages. A P value less than 0.5 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 250 students, 2 (0.8%) tested positive. Analysis of the demographic data shows that infection was only found among female students, 2 (0.8%), age groups 16 –25,1 (0.4%) and 26--35 years,1 (0.4%) each. Also, the demographic data shows a prevalence among drug addict (1.08%). The only student with history of drug addiction was positive making the prevalence to be 100% and this was statistically significant at P=0.000. Conclusion: The endemicity of Hepatitis B in the study population is a public health issue and calls for urgent action. This is because the infected students can be reservoirs for horizontal transmission. Furthermore, asymptomatic HBV infection can progress to chronic complications like liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This suggests the need for routine screening, creating awareness, also administration of the vaccine.