PREVALENCE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS AB AND C INFECTIONS AND ITS ASSESSMENT ON SELECTED PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINICS IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis ABC Infection and its Assessment on Selected Primary Health Care clinics in Taraba state was investigated. Blood Samples were aseptically collected from 383 consented individuals. Sera were assayed for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C antibodies. Rapid qualitative screening method for the detection of viral markers in the blood samples specific to each type of hepatitis virus was employed. Each serum was tested for antibodies to Hepatitis A virus total antibody using Micro point One- step rapid Test Kit for screening Hepatitis A virus antibody and both hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-N U hepatitis C antibody were screened using Egens Rapid Diagnostic test Kit and rapid qualitative diagnostic tests method to screen for Hepatitis A, B and C viruses by the detection of viral markers in the blood samples specific to each type of hepatitis virus. Risk factors relating to hepatitis were obtained using a questionnaire. A total of 6(1.6%), 31(8.1%) and 42(11.0%) subjects were seropositive for Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus respectively. The prevalence co-infection of Hepatitis A /Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis B /Hepatitis C virus were 1(0.3%) and 3(0.8%) respectively. The result revealed that Taraba State is burdened with hepatitis infection with overall prevalence of 20.6% for the 3 viruses studied. Viral hepatitis A did not show significant statistical association (P>0.05) with any of the considered variables among the subjects. However seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen differed significantly (P<0.05) with family size and primary health care clinics used in this work. The study showed that viral Hepatitis C and B are major public health concern in this study area and prevalence for both viruses can be considered high. Thus, it is suggested that emphasis on the importance of awareness, routine screening, immunization (for both child and adult) and antiviral therapy should be provided in the State.