Hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors and pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV), and sequelae such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are very common in the Maiduguri area of Nigeria. In a serological survey of 287 blood donors (all males) and 224 pregnant women, we found that 22.0% of the blood donors and 11.6% of the pregnant women were positive of HBsAg. For HBeAg the prevalence rates were 6.64% and 1.39% respectively. These findings make it imperative that all blood donations and pregnant women be screened for HBsAg. All positive blood units should be discarded and all children born to positive women be vaccinated against hepatitis B, preferably during the first year of life. In addition, a more extensive programme against hepatitis B needs to be undertaken. It is suggested that HBV vaccination be included in the expanded programme of immunization, so that all children, irrespective of the serological status of their mothers, will be vaccinated against hepatitis B.