Durotoye, I A.Issa, B.AFadeyi, AYussuf, A.DSalami, A.KShittu, O.AAjiboye, P.OOlawumi, H.O.Adegunloye, O.ANwabuisi, C.Sulyman, D.2023-06-142023-06-142021-03-23Durotoye, I.A., Issa, B.A., Fadeyi,A; Yussuf, A.D; Salami, A.K; Shittu, AO; Ajiboye, P.O., Olawumi, H.O., Adegunloye, O.A., Charles Nwabuisi, C. & Sulyman, D.https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12484/11196Background: Mentally ill persons are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including hepatitis B and C because of their high level risky behaviors. This study is aimed at establishing the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and C among the mentally ill individuals (MII) attending Psychiatric clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Nigeria since it has not been documented. Methods: A total of 350 MII were recruited. HBsAg testing was by immunoassay test strip (Grand Medical DiagnosticR USA) while hepatitis C was tested by commercially prepared kits from ACON,R USA. Healthy adults who presented as donors in the Blood Bank of the hospital were used as controls. Results: A total of 700 participants including 350 MII and 350 blood donors (BDs) were recruited for the study. The mean ages of MII and control participants were 36.5 ± 12.3 and 31.4 ± 8.3, respectively.The sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and C among patients with mental illness was 10.0 and 12.6%, respectively, as compared to 10.9% and 1.1% of the blood donors. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of HCV among mentally ill when compared with the blood donors (P = 0.001, 2 = 33.97; OR (CI) =12.44 (5.33‑29.03). Conclusion: Mentally ill patients attending UITH were significantly infected with hepatitis C virus. There is need for interventional measures to reduce the prevalence of hepatitis C among the mentally ill population such as health education and early screening of mentally ill in our setting.enBlood donors, hepatitis B and C, mental illness, Nigeria, sero-prevalenceArticle