Knowledge, Serological Markers and Risk Factors associated with Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection among Kuje Prison Inmates, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is hyper-endemic in Nigeria. Prisons are high-risk environments for the spread of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections. Prevalence of HBV infection is disproportionately higher among individuals in correctional facilities worldwide when compared to general population. We determined the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HBV infection among Kuje prison inmates, Nigeria.Methods: We conducted a prison facility based cross-sectional study. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on participants socio-demographic characteristics, HBV risk factors, previous HBV test and vaccination history. Blood samples collected from participants were analysed for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb markers using rapid lateral chromatographic immunoassay kit. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed.Results: A total of 271 inmates (63 convicts and 208 awaiting trial inmates) were recruited into the study as participants. The mean age of the participants was 32.7 SD±9 years. HBV sero-prevalence of 13.7%(95%CI;9.8-18.3) was found. 55.4%(95%CI;49.2-61.4) of inmates were susceptible to HBV infection, 20.7% (95%CI;16.0-26.0) had past or resolved HBV infection while 10.3%(95%CI; 7.0-14.6) had acquired natural or artificial HBV immunity. Factors found to be associated with HBV infection include age-group ≤25years (aOR=8.0;95%CI:2.9-22.3), being ever married (aOR=4.2;95%CI:1.7-10.4) and history of alcohol consumption (aOR=3.4; 95%CI:1.3-8.4).Conclusion: This study reveals a high seroprevalence of HBV infection among Kuje Prison inmates, hence the need to introduce prison-focused health intervention initiatives such as HBV screening, vaccination and care to reduce the transmission of HBV infection among inmates and ultimately the general population.

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Serological markers and risk factors associated with Hepatitis B virus infection among Federal Capital Territory prison inmates, Nigeria: Should we be concerned?

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0248045 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. e0248045

Author(s):

Chioma Cindy Dan-Nwafor ◽

Ikeola Adeoye ◽

Kehinde Aderemi ◽

Martins Onuoha ◽

Elizabeth Adedire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

General Population ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Prison Inmates ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

B Virus

Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is hyper-endemic in Nigeria. Prisons are high-risk environments for the spread of infectious diseases. Worldwide, seroprevalence of HBV infection is substantially higher among individuals in correctional facilities when compared to general population. We determined the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HBV infection among Kuje prison inmates, Nigeria. Material and methods We conducted a prison facility based cross-sectional study. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on participants socio-demographic characteristics, HBV risk factors, previous HBV test and vaccination history. Blood samples collected from participants were analysed for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb markers using rapid lateral chromatographic immunoassay kit. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 271 inmates (63 convicts and 208 awaiting trial inmates) were recruited into the study as participants. The mean age of the participants was 32.7 SD±9 years. HBV seroprevalence (HBsAg) of 13.7% (95% CI: 9.8–18.3) was found. 55.4% (95% CI: 49.2–61.4) of inmates were susceptible to HBV infection, 20.7% (95%CI; 16.0–26.0) had past HBV infection while 10.3% (95% CI: 7.0–14.6) had acquired natural or artificial HBV immunity. Factors found to be associated with current HBV infection (HBsAg) include age-group ≤25years (aOR = 8.0,95% CI: 2.9–22.3), being ever married (aOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.7–10.4) and history of alcohol consumption (aOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.3–8.4). Conclusion This study reveals a high seroprevalence of HBV infection among Kuje Prison inmates, hence the need to introduce prison-focused health intervention initiatives such as HBV screening, vaccination and care to reduce the transmission of HBV infection among inmates and ultimately the general population.

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Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Prison Inmates in Borno State: Determination of Prevalence of Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Possible Risk Factors of Disease

Journal of Hepatitis Research ◽

10.26420/jhepatres.2021.1041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lawan S ◽

◽

Elyuguda AD ◽

Gimba SN ◽

Sabo H ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Surface Antigen ◽

Hepatitis B Virus Infection ◽

Prison Inmates ◽

Duration Of Stay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

B Virus

An epidemiological study on hepatitis B virus infection among prison inmates in Borno state, Nigeria, was carried out using a questionnaire survey to determine the possible risk factors of the disease and serological method [using an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)] to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the inmates. The study was conducted in correctional facilities in Maiduguri, Biu and Bama local government area of Borno State. Out of a total of 300 sera tested, 49 (16.3%) had detectable ELISA antibody to HBsAg. A significant difference (p<0.001) in seroprevalence of HBsAg among inmates of different educational qualifications was observed and those with higher education had the highest prevalence (20.9%). Although there was no significant difference in prevalence of HBsAg among the different age groups, the age group 60-69 years had the highest infection rate (33.3%). Homosexuality and duration of stay in prison are shown to be significantly associated with HBsAg infection (P<0.05) among inmates. A significant gender difference was noted among inmates with the males (16.1%) having higher prevalence when compared with females (20.0%). Analysis of spatial distribution of prevalence of HBsAg showed that Maiduguri prison had (20.5%), followed by Biu prison (12.7%) and Bama prison (6.7%) and there was significant difference (P<0.05) in prevalence between prisons. There was no significant (P>0.05) association of prevalence of HBsAg with marital status or occupation of prison inmates. In conclusion, hepatitis b virus infection was found to be prevalent among prison inmates in Borno state with homosexuality and duration of stay in prison as risk factors.

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