Blood transfusions, unsafe injection practices, occupational hazards, sexual risk behaviour, or mother-to-child mainly transmits hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the perinatal period. The seroprevalence of HBV/HCV is indicated by the presence of surface antigen (HBsAg) or anti-HCV antigen in the blood of a patient. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg and Anti HCV infections among outpatients in some selected Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional method was used in the study. Three hundred and sixty (360) blood samples were collected to test for HBV/HCV infections using rapid diagnostic kits and HBV Combo cassette. The overall seroprevalence of HBV was 11.1% and 0.3% for HCV infection. Up the 360 samples,40 were found to be positive for HBsAg and 1 for HCV. The prevalence according to LGAs was Gummi, (HBV 18.3%; HCV, 0.83%), Bukkuyum (HBV, 8.3%; HCV, 0%), and Anka (HBV, 6.6%; HCV, 0%).Outpatients within the range of 20-30 years appeared to be the most vulnerable category to HBV/HCV infection. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HBV/HCV in this study remains high. This research found a gradual increase of HBV/HCV infection in the three local Governments of Zamfara state. Hence, Adequate Screening for viral hepatitis and Hepatitis B virus vaccination should be administered routinely to children and adults as well as the vulnerable in these communities.
Key words: Seroprevalence, Hepatitis B, C, Infection, Outpatients
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