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ABSTRACT
Research has shown high transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among university students in the developed world, but the data base for the developing countries is still lacking information on same. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in students of the university of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from students in the faculties of Life Science, Social Sciences, Arts, and Law. A total of 328 students consented to giving their blood samples for the test. Questionnaires were administered to get their Bio-data and 5ml of blood sample was collected from each person. The whole blood was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using rapid diagnostic test. Out of the 328 samples collected, 1(2.2%) from faculty of Life Science were positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HBsAg, 1(1.6%) from faculties of Social Sciences, Arts, and Law were positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HBsAg. The HBV infection was highest in the age bracket 21-25 years 25(55.6%) and lowest in 26-59 years 1(2.2%) from faculty of Life Science while highest in the age bracket 21-25 years 33(55.0%) and lowest in 26-59 years 7(11.7%) from faculties of Social Sciences, Arts, and Law. There was no statistically significant difference between the viral infection and locations. However, out of the associated risk factors, sharing of objects, multiple sexual partners showed statistically significant association with the high prevalence of the HBV. This study showed the prevalence of HBV among students. As such, there is need for constant screening of the students for effective prevention measure and proper clinical management strategy.
