By: Antehun Alemayehu (M.Sc) Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Health Adult Blood Donors in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia By: Antehun Alemayehu (M.Sc)

Introduction 2 billion persons have serologic evidence of HBV infection and over 350 million people are carriers of chronic HBV worldwide Singh S et al, 2009 Hepatitis B and hepatitis C together caused 1.4 million deaths in 2010, including deaths from acute infection, liver cancer and cirrhosis Lozano R et al, 2012 The transmission risk of these diseases is more among patients receiving blood transfusions or injection drug users Maheshwari A, Thuluvath PJ, 2010 The risks for HBV and HCV transmission via blood transfusions are believed to be higher in countries in sub-Saharan Africa MMWR 2011 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Introduction 20 to 30% of patients may develop liver cancer during the inactive HBsAg carrier state Multiple episodes of reactivation or sustained reactivation can cause progressive hepatic damage and even hepatic decomposition Sanjeev Sharma et al,2005 Due to the risk of transmission assessment of sero status is indispensable to know the burden and to make safe blood recipient

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among blood donors from May/ 2015- July/ 2015 Study was done at Wolaita Sodo Ottona and Christian hospitals, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV The socio-demographic data along with blood samples were collected and analyzed All serum samples were tested for HBsAg and anti- HCV using INSTANT rapid screening kit method according to the manufacturer’s instruction

Methods Data entry and analysis were done using Epi info version 3.5.4 & SPSS version 21.00 respectively Ethical clearance was obtained from AAU, Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology ethical review and research committee Permission was obtained from Wolaita zone Hospital where the samples were collected

Result and Discussion HBV and HCV Sero-prevalence In this cross- sectional study prevalence of HBV and HCV was 10.1% and 8.8% respectively The result of this study was higher for HBsAg compared to previously reported prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Italy 2.7%, Indonesia 8.8% , in Nepal 0.46% and Democratic Republic of the Congo which was 9.8%. Sulaiman H, et al 1995 Shrestha et al, 2009, Mbendi N. et al., 2001 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion It was also higher from those studies previously conducted among Ethiopia blood donors, in Gondar hospital of blood bank 4.7%, and Dessie hospital of blood bank 3% Baye Gelaw and Yohannes Mengistu 2008 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion However, the prevalence of HBsAg was lower when it was compared with studies done Mekele hospital of blood bank; prevalence was 14%, Felege Hiwot referral hospital 25% (Baye Gelaw and Yohannes Mengistu 2008 ), (Azene Dessie, Bayeh Abera and Fisseha Wale 2007) The differences were due to variations in geographical distribution as well as population differences in terms of lifestyle, awareness, sensitivity and specificity of tests. 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion The result of this study showed 8.8% anti-HCV prevalence among blood donors; which was lower than the prevalence study in Cairo among blood donors 14.6% but higher from studies conducted in Saudi Arabia 1.8% and Yemen blood donors 2.1%. (Theodore Sy, M. and Mazen Jamal 2006). 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion The result of this study was higher than those previously done studies among blood donors in Gondar hospital of blood bank 2.33% (Baye Gelaw and Yohannes Mengistu 2008) but lower than a study conducted in Felege Hiwot referral hospital, North West Ethiopia which was 13.3 % . ( Azene Dessie, Bayeh Abera, Fisseha Wale). The differences were due to variations in geographical distribution as well as population differences in terms of lifestyle, awareness, sensitivity and specificity of tests. 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion In this study there was no co-infection by hepatitis viruses (HBV and HCV) observed. some authors found an inhibition of hepatitis B virus by hepatitis C virus (endword L. et al., 2001) This is supported by other similar study conducted in Amhara and Tigray Regional States (Baye Gelaw and Yohannes Mengistu 2008) 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Result and Discussion Sero prevalence and Risk factors There was a statistically significant association observed b/n sharp injury and prevalence of the viruses. the P-value 0.036(AOR=4.06(1.09-15)) . More over history of teeth extraction also had statistically significant association with prevalence of the viruses P-value 0.035(AOR=3.36(1.1-10)) 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

Conclusion and Recommendation The sero prevalence of HBsAg and HCV anti-body among the blood donors in the hospitals was high This might increase risk of transmission to other healthy individuals. Predictors of HBsAg and HCV anti-body prevalence among blood donors were history of sharp injury and teeth extraction Preventive measure should be taken in order to minimize exposure to sharp injury While tooth extracting care should be taken 07-Feb-17 WSU.EDU.ET

References References.docx