Assessing Viral Hepatitis B and C Seroprevalence among Two at Risk Populations in Taraba State: A Seroprevalence Study

Viral hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by some hepatotropic viruses that indiscriminately infect all populations with certain sub-populations being more at risk/vulnerable to the infection. The highest burden of the infection is seen in sub-Saharan Africa with Nigeria belonging to the highly endemic countries with Taraba state having the highest burden in the country. It is undisputable that data regarding the prevalence of this infection is key in the prevention, management and control of epidemic by responsible bodies and authorities globally. However, data regarding viral hepatitis among at risk population remain scanty and continuous to prevail despite the endemicity of the disease in the region. It is against this background that this study sought to determine the prevalence of the disease among two at risk populations in Jalingo-Taraba State who accessed testing services at center for initiative and development Taraba state- Nigeria. A total of 397 individuals comprising of 160 health care workers and 237 people living with HIV were considered for the study. A total of 138 subjects were males while 259 were females within the age bracket of 8-80 years. Out of the total participants, forty-six 46/397(11.6%) were positive for HBV out of which 9(2.27%) were HCW and 37(9.32%) were PLHIV. However, no statistically significant association was found between at-risk-population and HBV status. A total of 54/397(13.6%) subjects were positive to HCV out of which 17(4.28%) were HCW and 37(9.32%) were PLHIV but no statistically significant association was found between at-risk population and HCV status of the subjects. A total of 5/397 participants (1.26%) were coinfected with viral hepatitis B and C out of which (0(0%), 1(0.25%)) were Males and females HCWs while (0(0%), 4(1.01%)) were males and females PLHIV respectively. The age group between 22-33 and 34-45 recorded 20(5%) each for HBV while the age group of 70+ recorded 0(0%) prevalence for HBV. The age group of 34-45 recoded the highest prevalence of 23(5.8%) for HCV infection while the age group of 58-69 recorded 0(0%) followed by 70+ who recorded 2(0.5%). The findings of this study reported a high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection amongst at risk population and this is a clear indication that the ailment is posing serious threat to the health care system and the region at large. This calls for the employment of aggressive preventive and elimination measures so as to succeed in achieving vison 2030.