title: Sero-epidemiology of Hepatitis B Surface Antigenaemia among Adult Nigerians with Clinical Features of Liver Diseases Attending a Primary-Care Clinic in a Resource-Constrained Setting of Eastern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis-B infection is not commonly perceived as a serious medical problem in Nigeria. However, chronic hepatitis-B infection, which is a subject of global concern, may lead to lethal liver diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was to determine the sero-epidemiology of hepatitis-B surface antigenaemia among adult Nigerians with clinical features of liver diseases attending a primary-care clinic in a resource-constrained setting of Eastern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out on 140 adult Nigerians with clinical features of liver diseases at the primary-care clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. They made up three groups: 44 patients, 62 patients and 34 patients with clinical features of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) was assayed using an immunochromatographic method. Demographic variables were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall sero-positivity rate was 50.7%. The sero-positivity rates for these patients were 23.9%, 39.5% and 36.6% for hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. The age group 40-60 years (P = 0.048) and artisans (P = 0.019) were significantly infected. Abdominal swelling (86.4%) and ascites (67.1%) were the most common symptoms and signs, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBsAg prevalence was high and has significant association with age and occupation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gabriel Uche Pascal
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Iloh
authors.forename: Austin Obiora
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ikwudinma
keywords: Epidemiology; Hepatitis-B surface antigenaemia marker; Nigeria; hospital; liver diseases; resource-constrained