1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
The hepatitis B virus was discovered in 1965 by Dr. Baruch Blumberg who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery. Originally, the virus was called the "Australia Antigen" because it was named for an Australian aborigine's blood sample that reacted with an antibody in the serum of an American hemophilia patient.
In 1981, the FDA approved a more sophisticated plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine for human use. This “inactivated” type of vaccine involved the collection of blood from hepatitis B virus-infected (HBsAg-positive) donors. The pooled blood was subjected to multiple steps to inactive the viral particles that included formaldehyde and heat treatment (or “pasteurization”). Merck Pharmaceuticals manufactured this plasma vaccine as "Heptavax," which was the first commercial hepatitis B virus vaccine. The use of this vaccine was discontinued in 1990 and it is no longer available in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates at more than 2 billion the number of people infected with the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in the World. An estimated 240 million people are chronic carriers of HBV, making HBV infection the tenth leading cause of death. More than 600,000 people die every year from complications of hepatitis B. Liver cancer is the worst consequence of HBV infection and is the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer in the World. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest prevalence of Hepatitis B with 80 million people carriers of HBV and a prevalence ranging from 5% to 10% in the adult population (World Health Organization, 2016). Despite HBV prevalence being relatively high in SSA, screening and treatment is still limited or rare in this region (Patassi et al., 2016). In SSA, HBV is most commonly transmitted from mother-to child at birth (perinatal transmission) or through horizontal transmission (exposure to infected blood), especially from an infected child to an uninfected child during the first 5 years of life (Dawaki et al., 2006). Sexual transmission of HBV, which is scarcely documented, could also occur among healthy adults particularly when unvaccinated people engage in risky sexual behaviors (World Health Organization, 2016). The main complication of HBV infection is the occurrence of hepatic cirrhosis that lead to hepatocellular carcinoma especially when transmission occurs before the age of 5 (Thursz et al., 2014). To avoid HBV transmission during childhood, the HBV vaccine was introduced in the expanded program on immunization (EPI) in several countries of SSA in the years 2000. In Nigeria, the HBV vaccine was introduced into the National EPI in 2008. Very few data on the prevalence of HBV in the general population exist in Nigeria. One study conducted among people living with HIV in 2011 estimated the HBV prevalence at 9.7% (Patassi et al., 2016). Another study among prisoners in 2013 estimated the prevalence at 12.5%, while a study among individuals in a hospital in Abuja found prevalence as high as 19.1% (Jaquet et al., 2016). However, no study in Nigeria has so far specifically focused on the prevalence of HBV among youth and university students, who could be considered a vulnerable population. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV and to determine its associated factors among first-year students of the University of Abuja, in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Problems
The study reveals the following problems associated with the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen among students of university of Abuja, Nigeria;
- Lack proper estimation of the prevalence of Hepatitis B and its correlates among University students at the University of Abuja,
- Inadequate information relating to the Socio-demographic Characteristics of the prevalence of hepatitis B,
- Inadequate information relating to the evaluation of the Hepatitis B surface antigen among students.
1.3 Objectives of Study
The aim of this study was to identify and determine the Hepatitis B surface antigen among students of university of Abuja, Nigeria. Therefore, the objectives of this research were:
- To estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B and its correlates among University students at the University of Abuja,
- To provide information about the Hepatitis B surface antigen among students,
- To estimate the Socio-demographic Characteristics of the prevalence of hepatitis B.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research work when completed and implemented it will help the students of university of Abuja to be informed about Hepatitis B surface among students, and the estimation of prevalence of Hepatitis B. Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen among students of university of Abuja, Nigeria.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.7 Definition of Technical Terms
Prevalence: prevalence is the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a medical condition at a specific time.
Antigen: antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. This means your immune system does not recognize the substance, and is trying to fight it off.
Surface: surface is the outermost or uppermost layer of a physical object or space. It is the portion or region of the object that can first be perceived by an observer using the senses of sight and touch, and is the portion with which other materials first interact.
Hepatitis: Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It's commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.
Students: a person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.
University: a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees and academic research is done.
Hepatitis B: A serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that's easily preventable by a vaccine.
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