Hepatitis b and c: an assessment of risk exposure and prevalence among preclinical medical students in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background The risk of transmission of hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) infection is of particular concern among medical students training in high endemic regions. In this study, we investigated the risk and prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among preclinical medical students in a government-owned medical school in northwestern Nigeria. Methods We employed a cross-sectional studytargeting the whole population of preclinical medical students of Kaduna State University, Kaduna State northwestern Nigeria. Datawere collected usinga self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and blood testing for HBsAg and HCV antibodies using rapid screening kits.Data wereanalyzed using SPSS version 22. Results A total of 133 students participated, and 79.7% of them had a previous risk exposure to injuries by sharps. The seroprevalence for HBV and HCV was 0.8% for both infections. Complete HBV vaccination uptake (3 doses)before enrolment in medical school was 18.8%. The knowledge that HBV infection is preventable was a significant determinant for the previous testing for hepatitis B and C. Conclusion Risk exposure to injuries by sharps was high in preclinical students. But their seroprevalence for both hepatitis B and C were low.

Keywords

• hepatitis b and c viruses; prevalence; medical students; sharp injuries