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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Hepatitis E | Research article

Hepatitis e prevalence, knowledge, and practice of preventive measures among secondary school adolescents in rural Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Chioma Ngozichukwu Pauline Mbachu, Joy Chinelo Ebenebe, Henry Chima Okpara, John Onuora Chukwuka, Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu, Jacinta Chinyere Elo-Ilo, Chizalu Ifeyinwa Ndukwu, Ifeoma Egbuonu

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Currently, there is a paucity of data on the knowledge and practice of preventive measures for Hepatitis E infection in Nigerian populations. This study provided data on the prevalence, knowledge and practices of prevention in an adolescent population from Nigeria.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted over 3 months among rural Nigerian secondary school adolescents. An interviewer-based questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic profile, knowledge, and practice of preventive measures for Hepatitis E infection. Blood samples collected from participants were analysed for Hepatitis E IgG using Elisa Kits (Sigma Diagnostics, USA). Data were analysed using SPSS software version 20.0. Tests of association were done with a level of significance set at 5%.

Results

A total of 9 out of the 414 participants tested positive for Hepatitis E IgG antibodies giving a prevalence of 2.2%. Significant factors for Hepatitis E infection were male gender {P = 0.004} and school {P < 0.001, however logistic regression gave infinite value. Most participants (98.6%) had poor knowledge of Hepatitis E infection, 239(57.7%) had good preventive practices, while 175(42.3%) had average preventive practices.

Conclusion

A low prevalence of HEV infection was recorded among study participants. There was poor knowledge of Hepatitis E, and association could not be established between HEV infection and individual preventive practices.

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Title: Hepatitis e prevalence, knowledge, and practice of preventive measures among secondary school adolescents in rural Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chioma Ngozichukwu Pauline Mbachu
Joy Chinelo Ebenebe
Henry Chima Okpara
John Onuora Chukwuka
Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu
Jacinta Chinyere Elo-Ilo
Chizalu Ifeyinwa Ndukwu
Ifeoma Egbuonu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Hepatitis E
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11702-y

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Hepatitis e prevalence, knowledge, and practice of preventive measures among secondary school adolescents in rural Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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