Hepatitis B and C Infection: should gynaecological patients be routinely screened?
Journal Title: International Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B and C viral infections constitute infectious hazards due to its risk of transmission. Aim: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and Risk factors of infection with Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus in patients attending gynaecological outpatient clinics at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out over a Seventeen months period, January 2011 to May 2012. A total 365 women attending our gynaecological clinics were consecutively recruited for the study. Information on demographics and risk-factors were obtained with a self administered questionnaire. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used to detect the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Results: The prevalence of infection with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 7.9%, Hepatitis C antibody 4.7% and 1.9% had mixed infection. The risk factors identified includes; unsafe abortion 161 (44.1%), multiple sexual partners (12.6%), tattoo marks (17.3%) ,scarification marks (47.1%), past blood transfusion (8.5%) and previous surgeries or dental procedures (14.2%); there was no statistical relationship between these risk factors and acquisition of HBV or HCV infection(all P-values >0.005). Conclusion: It is concluded that though the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C infection’s is relatively low in our environment compared with other reports; however, the policy of routine screening of all gynaecological patients especially those that require surgical intervention should be made mandatory and the principles of universal precaution should be re-emphasized.
Authors and Affiliations
Ibrahim I. A, Pondei K.
Keywords
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- EP ID EP162635
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.14194/ijmbr.3.1.8
- Views 136
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