Hepatitis B virus genotypes and unique recombinants circulating among outpatients in selected hospitals in Kenya

the prevalence rate of HBsAg, 226 blood samples were screened by parallel diagnostic method using One Step Strip Style HBsAg test kits. The percentage prevalence of HBV infection was calculated by using patients with positive samples as numerator and the total numbers of the voluntary blood donor among the population of the study area as denominator. The data generated from this study were presented using descriptive statistics and chi-square to determine any significant relationship infection rate, age and gender. Results: The overall prevalence rate of HBsAg of 8.9% was recorded. Age group (20-29) years had the highest prevalence of HBsAg (4%) compared to (3.1%) of the age group (10-19) years and (1.8%) of age group (30-39) years. HBsAg seropositivity was more prevalent among males (10.5%) than their female counterparts (9.26%). Age and Sex were statistically significant (p-value<0.05) by Chi-square test. This study confirmed that HBsAg is prevalent among screened asymptomatic healthy and sexually active youths in Ishiagu community Conclusion: Hence, general surveillance, mass immunization and public health education to stop the spread of the infection among general populace in Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government of Ebonyi State is advocated. General surveillance through mass screening to identify those with infection and instituting appropriate treatments, mass immunization of the uninfected population against the virus and public health education to enlighten blood donors in entire Ishiagu Community of the possible risk factors and routes of infection are indeed advocated.