Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among voluntary blood donors in Enugu Metropolis
Keywords:
Prevalence, HIV,, HBsAg, HCV, blood, donors, , infection, tests.Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
transmission through blood transfusion has not been effectively reduced in low income countries due to
unavailability of screening methods involving the detection of viral nucleic acid and pathogen inactivation.
This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and HCV in voluntary blood donors. A
total of 282 blood samples were screened for HIV, HBsAg and HCV by rapid test kits. Eighty six point two
percent (86.2%) of the participants were 18-27 years, 76.6% of the subjects were males and students in
higher institutions in Enugu state. Overall prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and HCV in this study was 2.8%, 5.3%
and 1.1%. This study demonstrates high prevalence of HIV & HBV in blood donors residing in Enugu state.
To reduce the transmission of HIV, HBsAg & HCV through blood transfusion more sensitive technique
(Polymerase Chain Reaction) should be using in screening blood donors.
