Sero-Prevalence Of Hepatitis C Virus Amoung Patients Attending Std Clinic In Hbadan, Nigerla

ABSTRACT

Xn the tropics, hepatitis C virus (BCV) seroprevalence ranges from < 0.2% in whole Africa. A strong association

between HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen (jPBPIsAg)-negative chronic liver disease and hepatocellulax carcinoma has

been described. Hepatocellular carcinoma (IYCC) 8s one of the mort common cancers among Africans, and in Nigeria

by 1970 the'estimated rate was 6.6 per 1Q0,QOO populations per asmum. Sexual tnmsmirsion was regarded as a minor

cause of HCV, the degree of which h~ not been properly evaluated in most environment.. Since it ha% been

established that sexual transmhsion is an important mode of aoquidtion of the infection, we therefore set out to find

the sesoprevalense of HCV among 95 patients attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in University

College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria with a view to recommemtding preventive and control meruures of HCV in our

community. The sera collected from these respondents were used for screening for syphilis using the VDRL tert, and

far HCV antibodies using the MONOLISA anti-HCV (Elanon, Bastow fiance). Mid-streun urine was collected from all

participants, and urethral swabs from all male participants while endocervical md high vaglnd swabs were collected

from female participants. Ulcer swabs were collected from those with genital ulcers. The prevrlanca of HCV infection

wan found to be 37.9% in patients presenting with STDs. Thfs oomgximd 38.g0% of male. and 61.1% females. This

prevalence rate is very high compared with the rate in the general pop*tion and other "high-risk" groups in

prewious studies in the same environmemt. Factors aasooiated with HBCV lnfeotlon in this environment include high

heter~sexuality,h igh PeveR of education, and previous fnstr~ameartationss uch as in wuiflcations and termination of

pregnancy. Prevention and co,ntrol of STB8 will definitely reduce HBCV infection and hence the attendant

consequences, particularly hepatocellullar carcinoma, in our environment.