The Hepatitis Epidemic in Nigeria: Moving Conversation on Hepatitis to The Front Burner
World Hepatitis Day, commemorated on 28 July every year, is an opportunity to raise awareness and garner commitments towards combating the hepatitis epidemic globally. Hepatitis, which is the inflammation of the liver cells, is a silent killer with significant public health concerns. It is a risk factor for liver cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in Nigeria. Nigeria accounts for 26% of the global burden of Hepatitis. While there are five types of Hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. According to the Nigeria HIV-AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, 2018 (NAIIS 2018), the prevalence rates for HBV and HCV are 8.1% and 1.1%, respectively, among adults aged 15-64 years. Nigeria ranks in Africa as one of the countries that is hyper-endemic for HBV infection…Read More