title: Nigerian medical students are at risk for hepatitis B infection.
abstract: Medical students are exposed to blood and body fluids. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection amongst medical students of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and through blood analysis for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg) as well as antibodies to the core (anti-HBc), surface (anti-HBs) and 'e' (anti-HBe) antigens. Three hundred and thirteen of 325 students (96%) participated. The mean age was 24.3+/-3.98 years; 231 (74%) were pre-clinical students and 82 (26%) were in the clinical years of study. Only 8 (2.6%) had received three doses of vaccination against HBV. Eighty-one (26%) tested positive for anti-HBc, 10 (3.2%) were positive for HBsAg and 56 (17.9%) had anti-HBs antibodies. A significant relationship was found between students who had a positive history of hepatitis B in the family and anti-HBc (P=0.03). Age was also significantly associated with HBsAg (P=0.012). Two hundred and twenty-five (72%) students were susceptible to the infection and required vaccination. Most students at this medical school are susceptible to HBV infection and should be vaccinated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health & Primary Health Care, Lagos State University College of Medicine, P.M.B. 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Odusanya
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Meurice
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D013337:Students, Medical; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines