Knowledge and Attitude of Blood Donors Towards Hepatitis B Virus Risk Behaviour in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a major global health concern, responsible for estimated 500,000 to 1.2 million human deaths each year. The clinical manifestations of HBV-related deaths that usually arise after chronic-hepatitis include liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The transfusion of blood is a critical risk point for inadvertent transmission of Hepatitis B virus at emergency healthcare points. This poses a significant public health challenge especially in developing countries. The impact of this challenge in Ikenne Local Government area is yet to be estimated. This study was designed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of blood donors in the four major towns in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A questionnaire survey enlisted 143 blood donors at selected blood banks in Ikenne, Ilishan, Iperu and Irolu towns in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, from February 4th to March 24th, 2021. Data collected were summarized using descriptive and correlation test statistics. Some 120 (93.9%) of the respondents were 18-34 years old. Unpaid donors accounted for 102 (78%) of the respondents. 2.8% of the respondents were confirmed positive for Hepatitis B virus before. Some 113 (86.9%) agreed that people should freely go for laboratory screening. Two-third 82 (63.1%) of the respondents indicated they knew where to get screened. Respondents’ knowledge was scored 2.423 ± 0.963, while a weak positive correlation was found between respondents’ knowledge and their risk behaviour (R = 0.296; P = <0.0001). The mean ± standard deviation of attitude of respondents was 4.207 ± 0.859, while a weak positive correlation was found between respondents’ Attitude and their risk behaviour (R = 0.225; P = < 0.010). Blood donors previously screened for the virus in general had better knowledge and behavioural attitudes that were compliant with Hepatitis B prevention, compared with previously unscreened individuals who exhibited high risk behaviour to the virus.