SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS HBSAG, HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND TREPONEMA PALIDIUM AMONG BLOOD DONORS IN A TRANSFUSION CENTER IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
Abah A., Ayodele M.B.O., Aaron U. U.* and Chinda D.
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus are important pathogens associated with blood. Blood transfusion is an important therapy during life threatening conditions. However, this practice is not without risks. This study was intended to assess the prevalence of Syphilis, Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) and HIV infections among voluntary blood donors attending a specialist hospital in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Blood samples were obtained from 300 intending blood donors between the ages of 18-50years and screened. The result showed that syphilis, Hepatitis B virus and HIV recorded a sero-prevalence of 1%, 2%, and 8.7% respectively, with the highest prevalence observed among age group 38-47 years,- Syphilis(1%), Hepatitis B virus (0.7%) and HIV (5.7%). Nevertheless, male subjects showed a sero-prevalence of 1.3%, 0.3% and 4% for syphilis, Hepatitis B virus infections respectively. While the female subjects had 0.7%, 0.7% and 4.7% respectively. Therefore, this study showed a high sero-prevalence of blood transmissible infections among blood donors. As such, there should be adequate public enlightenment on the modes of transmission and prevention of these diseases in the society.
Keywords: Blood, Transmissible Infections, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B Virus, Prevalence.
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