Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
The objective of this cross-sectional survey was to determine the prevalence of anti bodies to hepatitis C virus in 366 consecutively recruited individuals comprising 209 males and 157 females. Anti-HCV was detected in 11 (3.0% ) of the subjects tested. The highest prevalence was found in the 30-39 year age group (3.8% ) while the lowest prevalence occurred in the 40-49 year group (2.2% ). Anti-HCV infection prevalence was higher in less educated subjects (4.6% ) compared to highly educated (1.4% ), in females (3.8% ) compared to males (2.4% ) and was found to be almost two times higher among unmarried (4.1% ) compared to married subjects (2.2% ). This study confirms a high prevalence of anti-HCV and calls for urgent health education and awareness in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria to check further spread of the virus.
Ejele
O A
OA
Department of Haematology and Blood Tranfusion, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 6173, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nwauche
C A
CA
Erhabor
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies