Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain major causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Students in allied health sciences occupy a strategic position because they are future health workers, potential recipients and transmitters of infection-control knowledge, and a population exposed to clinical training environments. This article refines and critically contextualises a cross-sectional study on HBV and HCV sero-prevalence among students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Methodology: The primary source was the pasted study article reporting serological screening of 217 consenting undergraduate allied health science students for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies using rapid immunochromatographic strips. The manuscript was strengthened through critical narrative engagement with published literature on viral hepatitis epidemiology, blood safety, occupational risk, health-worker vaccination, Nigerian health systems and Islamic public-health ethics. Tables were standardised, prevalence estimates were presented with confidence intervals, and sparse risk factor associations were interpreted cautiously using exact statistics. Results: Of 217 students screened, 6 were HBsAg positive, giving an HBV sero-prevalence of 2.76% (95% CI: 1.27-5.90), while 1 was anti-HCV positive, giving an HCV sero-prevalence of 0.46% (95% CI: 0.08-2.56). HBV positivity was slightly higher among males, single students, students aged 28-32 years, 200-level students and Bachelor of Nursing Science students. HCV positivity was observed in one male, single, 200-level Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science student aged 23-27 years. In the standardised risk-factor analysis, history of blood transfusion showed the strongest signal for HBV infection. Associations involving HCV were unstable because only one participant tested positive. Conclusion: The study suggests low observed sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV in this allied health student cohort, but the small number of positive results, absence of vaccination-status data, reliance on rapid screening assays and limited multivariable analysis restrict causal inference. The findings support a campus-wide hepatitis prevention programme that combines confidential screening, confirmatory testing, complete HBV vaccination, safer clinical training, blood-safety education, linkage to care, and culturally competent Islamic psychoeducation that protects life, dignity, privacy and equity.