Prevalence of Blood-borne Infections among College Students of a Nigerian University

Background: Bloodborne infections (BBI) are caused by pathogens such as microorganisms carried via blood, such as bacteria or viruses capable of causing diseases that alter the normal state of the human body. The most common BBIs are syphilis, HIV, HPTLV-1, HBV, and HCV.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, level of awareness, and knowledge of some blood-borne infections among students in the College of Health Sciences, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso. South-western Nigeria.

Methods: A total number of 84 subjects (33 females and 51 males) were recruited. A self-structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and research questions. Blood was collected and screened, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for each blood-borne infection (Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and HTLV-1). The data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 with the result presented in tables and charts.

Results: The prevalence includes 4.8% syphilis, 3.8% Hepatitis B, 1.2% Hepatitis C and 1.2% HIV. A high level of awareness of these infectious diseases was observed (86.9% for Syphilis, 77.4% for Hepatitis B, 71% for Hepatitis C, 89.3% for HIV, and 75% for HTLV-1) and a high knowledge of the causes and transmission of these blood-borne infections.

Conclusion: The prevalence of bloodborne infections is relatively low among the subjects as reported in these findings, despite this, it is very important to raise the awareness level of BBIs in institutions and communities to continue it downtrend prevalence and occurrence in the population.