The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen in Africa and the tropics: report of a population study in Nigeria.
This preliminary study was designed to examine the distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in two contrasting groups in an urban area situated in the tropical forest belt. The sample from the traditional area represents a population of low socio-economic status, living in the central slum areas of the city, and the sample from the peripheral area represents a population of high socio-economic status living in clean modern estates. The prevalence rate of HBsAg by complement fixation (CF) was 12-6 per cent in both areas. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to prevalence of the antigen. When both groups were combined, no significant relationship was found between the presence of the antigen and sex, age, marital status, level of education, occupation, income, and a presumed exposure to the antigen from injections, dental treatment, blood tests, surgical operations, blood donations, tribal, (medicinal), tattoo and cosmetic marking, insanitary disposal of faeces, doubtful sources of water supply, and exposure to mosquitoes. No association with genotype was found.
The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen in Africa and the tropics: report of a population study in Nigeria. This preliminary study was designed to examine the distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in two contrasting groups in an urban area situated in the tropical forest belt. The sample from the traditional area represents a population of low socio-economic status, living in the central slum areas of the city, and the sample from the peripheral area represents a population of high socio-economic status living in clean modern estates. The prevalence rate of HBsAg by complement fixation (CF) was 12-6 per cent in both areas. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to prevalence of the antigen. When both groups were combined, no significant relationship was found between the presence of the antigen and sex, age, marital status, level of education, occupation, income, and a presumed exposure to the antigen from injections, dental treatment, blood tests, surgical operations, blood donations, tribal, (medicinal), tattoo and cosmetic marking, insanitary disposal of faeces, doubtful sources of water supply, and exposure to mosquitoes. No association with genotype was found.