Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Transmission among Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Onitsha, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a highly contagious disease of public health importance which is hyperendemic in Nigeria. Horizontal transmission is a major route of spread and adolescents are susceptible because of their high-risk behaviours. Objectives: The risk factors for hepatitis B virus transmission among apparently healthy adolescents in secondary school in Onitsha were determined. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among adolescents in secondary schools in Onitsha using a multi-staged sampling technique. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for qualitative detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum samples. Risk factors for transmission of HBV were obtained through semi-structured questionnaires. Simple descriptive statistics, chi-square and odds ratio were determined using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS 20). Results: In the study group the following variables were significantly associated with the risk of HBV transmission: blood transfusion (p<0.001), sexual activity (p<0.001), sharing of personal items (p<0.001), use of illicit drugs (p=0.003), contact with a person with jaundice (p=0.012), tattoo/scarification (p=0.005) and ear piercing (p=0.045). Conclusion: The observed risk factors enhance horizontal transmission of HBV among these adolescents and contribute to the existing high prevalence of HBV infection in Nigeria. Targeted health education through school health programs is crucial to enable the study area meet up with the World Health Organization's target of 90% reduction in new cases of HBV infection by 2030.