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Annals of African Medicine
Annals of African Medicine Society
ISSN: 1596-3519
Vol. 3, No. 1, 2004, pp. 35-37
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Bioline Code: am04010
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Annals of African Medicine, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2004, pp. 35-37
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Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies Among Blood Donors in Jos, Nigeria
Egah, D. Z.; Mandong, B. M.; Iya, D.; Gomwalk, N. E.; Audu, E. S.; Banwat, E. B. & Onile, B. A.
Abstract
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the hepatitis agents known to be transmitted through blood and blood products. Hepatitis C virus has been implicated as a major cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. This study was, therefore, undertaken with the objective of determining the sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies among blood donors in the central city of Jos, Nigeria.
Method:
A total of two hundred blood donors were recruited from three hospitals within Jos metropolis. Sera from all subjects were tested for Hepatitis C virus antibodies using a second generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
Ninety five percent (95%)of the blood donors were males and most of them were aged between 21 and 50years. Twelve (6.0%)of the blood donors were anti-HCV seropositive and all of them males.
Conclusion:
There is an urgent need to introduce routine screening of blood donors for Hepatitis C virus markers in centers where this is not currently been practiced. This will reduce the risk of transfusion-associated hepatitis C infection and its complications in Nigeria.
Keywords
Hepatitis C virus, blood donors, Jos
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