title: The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among prospective blood donors and patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HBV infection with its associated sequelae is a disease of major public health importance worldwide. This study analyzed the results of HBsAg screening at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, over a five-year period (1996-2000), with a view to establishing the prevalence rate in this area of the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  RESULTS from the Hepatitis Laboratory of the Hospital for the five-year period (1996-2000) were reviewed. The subjects consisted of two (2) main groups, i.e. blood donors and hospital patients. Screening was done using latex agglutination kits manufactured by Biotec Laboratories, USA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 7226 samples were screened for HBsAg over the five-year period. The overall sero-positivity rate was found to be 4.98%. The carrier rate among blood donors was 1.57%, while among hospital patients, the prevalence rate was 28.37%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia is common in Port Harcourt and its environs. Therefore adequate screening of patients and blood donors and the institution of adequate public health measures is advocated in order to reduce the transmission of this virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ejele
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ojule
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D003906:Developing Countries; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens