Seroprevalence Of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Prospective Blood Donors In An Urban Area Of Benue State

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with its associated sequelae is a disease of major public health importance world wide. There is paucity of data on the seroprevalence of HBV infection among prospective blood donors in Benue State. This study analyzed the results of HBsAg screening among blood donors in General Hospital, Otukpo, an urban area of Benue State, over a three-year period (2006 – 2008), with a view to establishing the prevalence rate in this region of the Middle Belt of Nigeria.Methods: Results of HBsAg screening from the blood bank unit of the General hospital Otukpo for the three year period (2006 – 2008) were reviewed. The subjects consisted mainly of prospective blood donors. Screening was done using latex agglutination kits manufactured by Biotec laboratories, USA.Results: A total of 2,500 samples were screened for HBsAg over the three year period. The seropositivity rate among donors tested was 20%. Conclusion: Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia is common in Otukpo, an urban area of Benue State. Therefore adequate screening of blood donors and the institution of adequate public health measures is advocated in order to reduce the transmission of this virus.