Nigerian medical students are at risk for hepatitis B infection

Medical students are exposed to blood and body fluids. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection amongst medical students of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and through blood analysis for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg) as well as antibodies to the core (anti-HBc), surface (anti-HBs) and 'e' (anti-HBe) antigens. Three hundred and thirteen of 325 students (96%) participated. The mean age was 24.3+/-3.98 years; 231 (74%) were pre-clinical students and 82 (26%) were in the clinical years of study. Only 8 (2.6%) had received three doses of vaccination against HBV. Eighty-one (26%) tested positive for anti-HBc, 10 (3.2%) were positive for HBsAg and 56 (17.9%) had anti-HBs antibodies. A significant relationship was found between students who had a positive history of hepatitis B in the family and anti-HBc (P=0.03). Age was also significantly associated with HBsAg (P=0.012). Two hundred and twenty-five (72%) students were susceptible to the infection and required vaccination. Most students at this medical school are susceptible to HBV infection and should be vaccinated.