Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Hepatitis B and C viruses are two unidentical viruses that infect the liver and causes a disease called viral hepatitis characterized by the presence of inflamed hepatocytes. This disease has since became pandemic and global health challenge. The prevalence of this disease varies geographically hence the need for regional studies so as to guide interventions and policy making. This study was carried out among 900 volunteers within the age range 8-80 of which 383 were males while 517 were females. Demographic information were collected through oral interview while blood samples for the serological tests were collected through venipuncture by specialists. Out of the 900 participants, 121(13.4%) and 109(12.1%) were positive for HBV and HCV respectively while 10(1.1%) were found to be coinfected. 53/383(5.9%) of the male and 68/517(7.6%) of the female population were positive for HBV while 39/383(4.3%) of the male and 70/517(7.8%) of the female population were positive for HCV. Participants that fall between the age of 20-43 were found to be the most infected by both viruses. A total of 10(1.1%) were however reported to be coinfected with this viruses. The findings of this study shows the existence of high prevalence of the disease in the region. Thus, the finding calls for interventions through awareness, education, testing, vaccination and treatments by relevant bodies.