Prevalence of Hepatitis and its Public Health Implications in Owerri and its Environment

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the Prevalence of Hepatitis and to determine its Public Health implications in Owerri and its environment. Hospital medical record was used to determine the prevalence from the year 2009 to 2013. Out of the 935 recorded cases, 484 (51.8%) consecutive patients attending outpatient clinic were infected with hepatitis virus.  Out of this number were 320 males (66.1%) and 164 were females (33.9%). The prevalence was lower (12.4%) in the year 2009. Only 60 patients attending out-patient clinic have found infected with hepatitis virus. In the year 2010, the prevalence was higher with 84 patients (17.4%). The year 2011 yielded the highest prevalence of (26.3%) of hepatitis with 130 patient having Hepatitis virus was noted. The year 2012 had a prevalence of (22.7%) and the year 2013 with a prevalence of (20.6%).In overall analysis age group 31-40 showed the highest prevalence of (22.7%), Statistical analysis indicated a significant variation between years studied and when data was rearranged in relation to sex and age (P<0.05). It is recommended that Vaccine should be available as for preventive measures along with time regular medical checkup.