Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E infection among secondary school students in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria

Background : Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection remains endemic with occasional epidemics in developing countries, particularly in regions where there is poor sanitation coupled with contaminated water supply. The disease has a poor prognosis in the context of pre-existing chronic liver disease. Aim: In view of the existing dearth of information on the prevalence of HEV infection among children in our setting, this study was thus conducted to provide information on the seroprevalence of HEV among a population of school children in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Methods : The study was a cross sectional study involving secondary school children aged 11 years and above, randomly selected by multistage cluster sampling attending public, day secondary schools in three randomly selected local government areas from the three geopolitical zones of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Information was obtained using a questionnaire and blood samples were obtained from the subjects for evaluation for HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a commercial enzyme linked immunoassay kit. Data were summarized as percentages, charts and frequency tables and results computed and analyzed using Epi-info version 3.0. Results : A total of 372 subjects were studied out of which 24 were found to be positive for HEV IgG antibody, which gave a prevalence rate of 6.5%. The age group 16 - 20 years had the highest (9.2%) prevalence for HEV infection compared to other age groups. HEV infection was found to be statistically significantly associated with use of Pit latrine and poor sanitary condition. Conclusion : HEV infection is prevalent among secondary school children in Kaduna state and poor sanitary condition among other predisposing factors was prominent in the community. There is need therefore for collaborative and holistic efforts by all stake holders to ensure provision of clean portable water as well as invigorate health education in order to improve health promoting sanitary conditions to acceptable standards.