Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Obscure in Nigerian Patients

Abstract EN

Aim.

To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV and risk factors associated with HCV infection in Nigerians.

Materials and Method.

Patients attending a general outpatient clinic were administered a structured questionnaire on the risk factors for HCV infection.

They were also tested for anti-HCV using a third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Result.

The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 4.7%.

Among the risk factors evaluated, none was found to be significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity.

Conclusion.

The risk factors associated with HCV infection in Nigerian patients are obscure.

This warrants further studies on the epidemiology of this important cause of liver disease.