AbdelSalam MH Elfaki
Infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus causes serious mortality, morbidity, and financial burden and therefore they constitute a major global health problem. This study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection among healthy volunteer blood donors at Elobeid blood bank. This cross-sectional study was conducted among male Sudanese voluntary blood donors at the blood bank of Elobeid teaching hospital in the period June 2014 to August 2014. A total of 400 blood donors were included in the study. Blood sample was taken from each individual tested for evidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection markers using immunechromatographic (ICT) strips. Data sheet for collection of personal data (such as name, age, and sex) and socioeconomic data (such as marital status, education and occupation), history of immunization against hepatitis B, history of tattooing, was prepared and used for each individual. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 This cross-sectional study includes 400 apparent healthy blood donors who came consequently for blood donation. All participants were males. The age of the donors ranged from 18-48 years with a mean of 28.5 (SD ± 6.3) years. Majority of the donors were in the groups 18-27 years (49.75%) and age group 28- 37 years (41.5%). These two age groups constitute 91% of the donors. The overall sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection among blood donors was 9.3%, and 3.5% respectively. The mean age of those with hepatitis B virus infection was 29.8 (SD ± 4.7) years and the mean age of those with hepatitis C virus infection was 34 (SD ± 6.6) years. More than half (57%) of those have sero-positive markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, belong to the age group 28-37 years. The majority of individuals (86%), who are positive for hepatitis C antibodies, came from urban, while those with positive HBsAg coming from urban constitute 59%. The level of education of two third (74.3%) of blood donors included in this study was basic or secondary level. More than half (59%) of individuals with HBsAg are workers, while workers and merchants are equally affected with hepatitis C infection and together they constitute 86% of cases with positive antibodies against hepatitis C. This study shows that the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B is high and sero-prevalence of hepatitis C is rising among apparent healthy blood donors. To reduce the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, it will be necessary to educate people about risks factors for infection and benefits of immunization. In the absence of hepatitis c vaccine, proper screening of blood and selection of donors will have a paramount importance to ensure a safe blood supply.
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