Hepatitis B and C Single and Co-Infection Patterns Among Emergency Patients in a Resource-Limited Setting

Background: Hepatitis B and C viral infections continue to constitute major global health problems and are responsible for most liver related deaths. This study is carried out to reveal the hepatitis B and C single and co-infection patterns among emergency patients and their possible liver outcomes. Methods: Two hundred and eighty-eight (288) patients on initial visit from casualty unit were routinely screened for hepatitis B and C viruses over a period of two years in the haematology department. Diaspot one step enzyme immunoassay rapid kits for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV respectively were used. HBsAg and anti-HCV seroprevalence and possible co-infections were evaluated using descriptive statistics of SPSS version 17 and expressed in mean and standard deviation, and male: female ratios. Results: Of the 288 research volunteers, 8.68% and 1.74% were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively. 1.04% was HBV and HCV co-infected. The overall mean age and male: female ratio were 44.4±17.3 years and 1.4:1 respectively. Lower mean age and higher male: female ratios were observed in HBV and HCV population. HCC remain the major liver outcome in HBV-infected and HBV/HCV co-infected research subjects. Conclusion: Hepatitis B and C viral infections still remain a major public health problem globally. There is need for continued aggressive advocacy on ‘Know your HBV and HCV status’ to reduce the scourge of these infections especially in rural and resource-limited settings where problem of poverty and ignorance have contributed to development of liver complications in these patients.