Prevalence of Hepatitis B Markers among youth aged 13-18 Years in public high schools within Nairobi and Machakos
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a worldwide public health concern with one third of the world having been
infected. Transmission can occur vertically or horizontally. Horizontal transmission
occurs through contact of body secretions with non intact skin or mucous membranes. In
the developing countries it is mainly transmitted during childhood. No local studies have
assessed the prevalence of hepatitis B among adolescents. The study aimed at getting a
prevalence of hepatitis B among the ages of 13-18 years.
Methods
A cross-sectional study carried out in public high schools within Nairobi and Machakos
among students aged 13-18 years. Clustering of schools and stratification of students was
used to sample the population. Data was obtained using questionnaires and lab tests and
analyzed using SPSS version 13. Prevalence was presented in the form of frequencies.
Mean, median, and standard deviation were obtained. Analysis of risk factors was done
using chi squared test and Fishers exact test.
Results
The prevalence of HBsAg among youth aged 13-18 years in Machakos and Nairobi
public day high schools was found to be 1.8% and 3.5% respectively. Overall prevalence
was 3.0%. The prevalence of antiHBs, Ig G among youth aged 13-18years in Machokos
and Nairobi public day high schools was found to be 6.4% and 10.7% respectively.
Overall prevalence was 9.3%
Conclusions
Although the ~evalence of hepatitis B obtained was low at 3.0%, the prevalence of the
hepatitis B surface antibody IgG was also low at 9.3%.
Recommendation
Targeted adolescent vaccination would be recommended for this age group.
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Citation
Master of Medicine Pediatrics And Child HealthPublisher
University Of Nairobi College of Health Sciences