Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in surgeons in Lagos, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in surgeons in a major city in Nigeria.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Three major hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty seven surgeons (study group) and 193 administrative staff (controls).


METHODS
Blood samples were taken from subjects and analysed for hepatitis B virus markers (HBsAg, antiHBs and antiHBc) using the ELISA technique.


METHODS
Hepatitis B virus marker sero-positivity.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the surgeons was found to be 25.7% as compared to 15% in the control group (p=0.01). The frequency of antibody to the surface antigen (antiHBs) was 22.2% among the surgeons and 4.1% in the control group (p<0.001) and that of antibody to the core antigen (antiHBc) was 61.7% in the surgeons as compared to 53.4% in the control (p=0.11). At least one HBV marker was found in 76.6% of the surgeons as compared to 57% in the control group (p=0.0009).


CONCLUSIONS
Health care workers should be immunised against HBV. In Nigeria, HBV immunisation should be considered for inclusion in the EPI.
Belo
A C
AC
Gastroenterology Unit, Ashford Hospital Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3AA, UK.
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens