Sero-epidemiology of Hepatitis D Virus among HBsAg-Positive Individuals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, where coinfection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) can exacerbate liver disease and complicate management. This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence of HDV among 100 HBsAg-positive individuals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and examined demographic and clinical correlates of infection. Plasma samples were screened for HDV IgM using ELISA, and associations with age, gender, marital status, religion, education, occupation, and other clinical parameters were assessed using chi-square analysis. Overall, 36% of participants tested positive for HDV antibodies, with higher prevalence observed among females (40%), single individuals (41.1%), students (66.7%), and those aged 15–29 years (57.1%). Gender, marital status, age, and religion showed statistically significant associations with HDV seropositivity, while education and occupation did not. The findings indicate a substantial burden of HDV among HBV-infected individuals in this region, emphasising the need for routine HDV screening, targeted vaccination, and public health interventions aimed at younger and high-risk populations to mitigate disease progression and transmission.