Hepatitis B and C Infection: should gynaecological patients be routinely screened?
Journal Title: International Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B and C viral infections constitute infectious hazards due to its risk of transmission. Aim: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and Risk factors of infection with Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus in patients attending gynaecological outpatient clinics at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out over a Seventeen months period, January 2011 to May 2012. A total 365 women attending our gynaecological clinics were consecutively recruited for the study. Information on demographics and risk-factors were obtained with a self administered questionnaire. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used to detect the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Results: The prevalence of infection with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 7.9%, Hepatitis C antibody 4.7% and 1.9% had mixed infection. The risk factors identified includes; unsafe abortion 161 (44.1%), multiple sexual partners (12.6%), tattoo marks (17.3%) ,scarification marks (47.1%), past blood transfusion (8.5%) and previous surgeries or dental procedures (14.2%); there was no statistical relationship between these risk factors and acquisition of HBV or HCV infection(all P-values >0.005). Conclusion: It is concluded that though the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C infection’s is relatively low in our environment compared with other reports; however, the policy of routine screening of all gynaecological patients especially those that require surgical intervention should be made mandatory and the principles of universal precaution should be re-emphasized.
Authors and Affiliations
Ibrahim I. A, Pondei K.
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP162635
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.14194/ijmbr.3.1.8
- Views 137
- Downloads 0
Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening among female students and staff in a tertiary institution in the Niger Delta
Background: Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease. In western countries, the incidence of and mortality associated with cervical cancer has reduced substantially following the introduction of effective cervica...
An isolated cleft of the anterior leaflet of mitral valve in an infant: a case report
Background: Isolated cleft of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is the occurrence of mitral cleft without ostium primum or ostium secundum defect and it is rare. It results from different degrees of failure of fus...
HIV/AIDS-related sexual behaviour among commercial motorcyclists in Sagamu, South-West, Nigeria
Background: Commercial motorcyclists in Nigeria are predominantly young males with high risk behaviour for HIV/AIDS. They may have become a reservoir for the continued transmission of HIV but they are often neglected in...
Childhood tetanus from snakebite in Warri: a ten-year retrospective review
Background: Childhood tetanus from snakebite is a rare occurrence in Nigeria. It occurs more in adolescents and adults males. Aim: We report cases of tetanus in children following snakebite in Warri. Methods: Case notes...
Cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases in Abia state, Nigeria: report of a community-based survey
Background: There is limited population based data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, and Abia state in particular. Aims: The purpose of this survey was to determin...