The National Association of Seadogs, also known as Pyrates Confraternity, has facilitated the screening of over 150 residents of Alimosho in Lagos State for hepatitis.

The association said the screening, which was carried out after a public enlightenment campaign in Egbeda and environ, is part of its medical mission aimed at drawing the attention of the public to the dangers associated with contracting hepatitis.

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Addressing the beneficiaries during the screening, guest speaker, Dr. Oyienami Eyimima-Otomi, said hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver which is commonly caused by a viral infection and other causes associated with fluid transmission.

Eyimima-Otomi, a general medical practitioner and gynaecologist, explained that the common strains of hepatitis were the A, B, and C.

She added that the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), which causes long-term or chronic infection, was 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

According to Eyimima-Otomi, “Hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, which causes a long-term or chronic infection. HBV is highly infectious and it is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.

“The virus is transmissible even in the absence of visible blood since it is capable of remaining on environmental surfaces for prolonged periods. Horizontal transmission occurs from one individual to another through the exposure of broken skin or mucous membranes to HBV infected blood or body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, or saliva.

“Contact with semen or vaginal fluid through sexual intercourse is the main route of HBV transmission in adults and adolescents.”

She said globally, 325 million people have a hepatitis infection, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015 estimated that 257 million people and 71 million had hepatitis B and C respectively, making them the most common strains.

Speaking on the success of the screening, the President of the Alimosho chapter of NAS (Hawkins Deck) in Lagos State, Mr Hassan Aidorolo, said the exercise was done in collaboration with the southern Canada chapters of the organisation.

Aidorolo stated that the objective of the free medical lecture and test was to create awareness about hepatitis and how dangerous it is to the liver.

He, therefore, advised people to be conscious of their health by going for regular check-ups, practice safe hygiene and interactions as it concerns feeding and intimacy.

Recall that earlier in April, the Alimosho chapter of the association in collaboration with its London branch and the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board as well the Olukemi Specialist Clinic and Urologist Centre, Akure, Ondo State carried out a public awareness campaign and free test in prostate cancer for men above 40 years.