KNOWLEDGE, SERO-PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG KUJE PRISON INMATES FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

Abstract

Globally the burden of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains enormous with over two billion people infected worldwide. HBV is Hyper endemic in sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated HBV sero prevalence of 12.2% in Nigeria. Compared with the general population, prevalence of HBV infection is disproportionately higher among penitentiary institutionalized individuals worldwide. HBV infection is an important health issue in prisons and there exist paucity of data among this high-risk population in Nigeria. Presently, there are no specific health interventions regarding prevention and transmission of HBV infection among prison inmates despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine. This study was designed to determine the knowledge, sero-prevalence, and risk factors associated with HBV infection among FCT prison inmates, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January to June 2016 among 271 Kuje FCT prison inmates in Nigeria. A pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire was administered to participants to obtain information on social demographic characteristics, knowledge, risk factors and previous HBV test and Vaccination History. Knowledge of HBV infection was graded based on total score of 12 and ≥6 score was categorised as good knowledge. Blood samples were collected from all participants and analyzed for HBsAg. HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb using rapid lateral chromatographic immunoassay kit. HBsAg positive samples were confirmed using ELISA. Epi info version 7.2.0 was used for univariate, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analysis at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the participants was 32.7±9 years. Of the total respondents' majority 132(48.7%) were in the age group 25-34 and 208 (73%) were awaiting trial. About 46.9% of them were married and (84.3%) were in monogamous relationships. More than half of the respondents (73.8%) had completed secondary school education and lgbo tribe had the highest (31.4%) number of respondents. Of the 116(42.8%) who had ever heard of HBV infection, 114 (98%) had poor knowledge of the disease. HBV sero-prevalence was found to be 13.7% (95% CI; 9.8 18.3), HBV Susceptible 55.4% (95% CI: 49.2-61.4), HBV Past/Resolved infection 20.7% (95% CI; I 6.0·26.0) and HBV Immunity (Natural/ Artificial) I 0.3% (95% CI;7.0- I 4.6). Factors found to be associated with HBV infection include age group ≤25 (aOR 8.0; 95% Cl =2.9-22.3, p=0.0001), ever married aOR (aOR = 4.2, 95% Cl =1.7-10.4. p=0.003) and history of alcohol consumption (aOR = 3.4, 95% Cl =1.3-8.4. p=0.026). There exists poor knowledge and high sero-prevalence of HBV infection among FCT inmates. This study shows the need for prison-focused HBV infection initiatives in Nigeria such as HBV screening, vaccination and care to reduce the transmission of HBV infection among inmates.