Cultural Influences on Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seropositivity in Primary School Children in Nnewi.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of cultural influences, namely: circumcision, ear piercing and traditional scarification, on HbsAg seropositivity among primary school children in Nnewi. Subjects and Method: Two hundred and thirty seven randomly selected primary school children aged 5-12 years, were screened for HbsAg Information on the subjects were collected by use of a pretested questionnaire and physical examination. Results: An HbsAg prevalence of 7.6 percent was observed. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HbsAg between exposed children and those unexposed to the various traditional practices (P >05). Conclusion: Culturally related exposure did not seem to be a significant mode of HBV spread in Nnewi childhood population.

Keywords

• cultural influences
• hepatitis b surface antigen