Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Eligible Blood Donors in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The prevalence of blood borne viral infections such as Hepatitis B and C viruses is a public health problem. Screening blood donors is needed to prevent further spread of such infections. The current study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among eligible blood donors in a tertiary healthcare facility in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on eligible blood donors attending the Heamatological Unit of Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria. One hundred blood donors were screened for ABO blood groups using white plain tile. Hepatitis B and C seromarkers were further screened using a rapid test kits (ACON Laboratories Inc, USA). Informed consent and completed self-administered questionnaires on their socio-demographics and exposure to some possible risk factors were obtained. A general prevalence of infections with hepatitis B and C viruses in the study population was 21.0%. The prevalence of HBV was 14.0% while HCV was 7.0% and no blood donor was coinfected with the 2 viruses. However, in this study, gender, age, marital status, occupation, blood group and history of blood transfusion had no statistically significant association with Hepatitis B and C viral infections (p > 0.05). The 21.0% infection rate reported in this population is a cause for alert because it means there is a high viral reservoir in the area. Measures such as more sensitive techniques, immunization and health education must be advocated in the study area.