HE PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN AMONG CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA IN ENUGU

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the
prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) among
children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in Enugu. The age, sex
and the role of risk factors such as blood transfusion,
circumcision and socioeconomic factors in the prevalence of
HBsAg were also determined.
Two hundred and twenty one children with SCA attending the
sickle cell clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
(UNTH) Enugu were recruited while 182 children without SCA
in the study area matched for age and sex served as controls.
Their sera were analyzed for HBsAg by enzyme linked
immunoassay method. HBsAg was found in 8.1% of those with
SCA and 6.6% in the control (P = 0.555). The prevalence rates
of HBsAg were similar in males and females with SCA, 8.1% and
8.2% respectively (P=0.636.) The prevalence of HBsAg in infancy
was zero. The highest prevalence of 9.5% occurred in children
between 6-12 years. Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus
was probably not common, and the predominant mode of

transmission seems to be horizontal during childhood. Risk
factors such as blood transfusion, circumcision, and socio
economic factors did not influence the prevalence. Hepatitis B
virus is endemic in Enugu and all children are equally affected
irrespective of their genotype. Health education, universal
precaution, early childhood immunization will reduce the
infection rate. Further research is necessary to determine if
there are unknown factors influencing the spread of hepatitis B
virus among children in Enugu.

HE PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN AMONG CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA IN ENUGU