title: Prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses, and evaluation of risk factors for transmission: Report of a population screening in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are common blood-borne infections unevenly distributed across regions in Nigeria. Few population-based prevalence studies have been done in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV and risk factors for infection with these viruses in a Nigerian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV and HIV were assayed in 1 498 healthy adult participants. A structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors for viral acquisition. Bivariate analysis was used to compare differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Significant risk factors were identified by stepwise logistic regression. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalences of HBV, HCV and HIV were 8.8%, 10.0% and 12.9%, respectively, with urban/rural disparity. HBV/HCV positivity was higher among males than females. The reverse was true for HIV. Age was significantly associated with being HBV-, HCV- or HIV-positive. Communal use of a toothbrush was significantly associated with HBV positivity in the final model (odds ratio 2.46, 95% confidence interval 1.45 - 4.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infection is high in Nigeria, with urban/rural disparity. HCV may be more of a public health concern than HBV in some communities. Population-based studies are required to provide vital data to inform optimal national control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology/Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State, Nigeria. ucsuizes@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: U C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okpara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ameh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogarekpe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inyama