Probing the Seroprevalence of Hepatis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infections among Meat Handlers in a Mega Abattoir in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B and C viral infections are sexually transmitted and blood borne infections with vertical and horizontal transmission, constituting major global public health threats. While about 254 million people globally are living with hepatitis B and 50 million people are living with hepatitis C; 6000 people are being infected daily with viral hepatitis and many of the infected persons remain undiagnosed in several countries.

Methodology: A total of 309 blood samples were collected from persons who freely gave their consents after the reasons and procedures have been well explained and their questions entertained to their apparent satisfaction. About 3 - 4 ml of venous blood samples were collected from each study participant and transferred into a pre-labelled EDTA vacutainer tubes and transported in a cold box to the Diagnostix and Scientifique Laboratories, a medical diagnostic and research laboratory offering services to public and private healthcare facilities in Port Harcourt for analysis.

Results: The overall prevalence of HBV / HCV as observed in this study was 12.3%. Age-wise, the highest prevalence of 13.3% was recorded with the 19-25 years age bracket, while the least was found within the >35 years age bracket at 8.3%. The males had a prevalence of 13.0% while the females had zero prevalence. Within abattoirs, the pig abattoirs were the highest with 25.0% prevalence. Meat handlers from the south had a prevalence of 12.5% and those from the north recorded 12.3%. The prevalence of HBV and HCV were 11.0% and 1.6%, respectively.

Conclusion: The very high prevalence rates of the pathogens among handlers of pork are worthy of note, considering the statistically significant association between HCV infection and meat handlers in the different abattoirs.