Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigenaemia among patients attending Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is of public health importance globally. Viral hepatitis, especially B forms a considerable percentage of Liver disease worldwide. This study aims to determine the Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus among patients attending Sokoto Specialist Hospital with a view to establish prevalence rate in the state. Serum samples were collected from patients and analyzed to determine the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) using Biorex ELISA (HBV). Of the 300 patients screened, 42(14.0%) were positive for hepatitis B virus. Gender, age, sex, education, marital status, history of blood transfusion, presence of tribal marks/ tattoos and intravenous drug abuse related prevalence of hepatitis B virus was determined. Only history of blood transfusion was strongly associated with the prevalence of hepatitis B infection with highly statistical significant difference (P < 0.05). Thus, the finding of this study emphasize the importance of  good  personal hygiene in  the  prevention of  the  infections since