Abstract

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN ONICHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Chima Cornelius Ogbonna, Dennis Chimezie Nwosu, Onu Isaac Onyeke and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

Determination of Hepatitis C Virus infection in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria using HCV antibody test strip for Rapid Assessment Survey were carried out between the years 2020 to 2022. Ethical approval for the work was obtained from the ministry of Health Ebonyi State. Thereafter, appropriate advocacy visits were made to the authorities of the LGA and the development centers. Five Development Centers from the LGA were randomly selected for the survey. Informed Consent was also obtained from the participants aged 16-50 years of both sexes. Six hundred and thirty-three (633) participants (194 males and 439 females) were recruited for the study. Blood samples were appropriately collected from the subjects and screened for Hepatitis C Virus infection using the antibody (Ab) rapid test kit. The screening result showed 88 positive cases giving a significant prevalence of 13.9% in the study population. There was variation in prevalence with relation to age group: 17.9% was recorded for those aged 16-20 years, 16.3% for those aged 21-25 years, 11.8% for those aged 26-30 years, 5.6% for those aged 31-35 years, 15.5% for those aged 36-40 years, 15.1% for those aged 41-45 and 12.8% for those aged 46-50 years. This variation was found to be statistically significant (Ø<0.05). There was also remarkable variation in prevalence in relation to occupation ranging from 6.3% for Applicants to 28.6% for Drivers, the variation was found to be statistically significant(Ø<0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence according to sex; 7.3% for males and 6.6% for females. The result of this study with regard to location also showed significant difference in prevalence, (Abomege Development Center 16.7%, Ishinkwo 14.8%, Isu 11.2%, Oshiri 8.5% and Ukawu 23.9%) which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The above result is alarming considering the fact that HCV has no vaccine for its prevention with little or no awareness of the infection or other preventive measures in the study area. This calls for urgent attention from the government and Health Care authorities at all levels to save the people of Onicha LGA from the consequences of man power and economic depletion.

Keywords: Virus, Hepatitis C, Prevalence, ELISA.