Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen (Hbsag) among Students of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to detect the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among students of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. One hundred blood samples were collected from the students in two seasons (May to December). The blood samples were screened for possible detection of Hepatitis B virus, using paper strips. Eight blood samples were positive, representing 8%. Students within the age group 21 – 23years had high prevalence of 4% and the lowest prevalence (2%) was found with students within the age groups 24 – 26 and 27 – 29 years respectively. Students who had his tory of blood transfusion recorded very high prevalence of 8% while those with no history of blood transfusion had no inci dence. The prevalence was high in wet months (Rainy season) (5%) compared to dry months (Dry season) (3%). Similarly, infection rate was high (6%) among male students compared to their female counterparts who had (2%). The overall preva lence of 8% observed in this study is deemed high. Further investigations should be conducted to ascertain the incidence rate of the disease among the students using higher sample sizes