Incidence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among the Scavengers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Poor economic situations in developing nations had made scavenging a means of livelihood for millions of youth and women across the globe. Lack of proper source segregation of wastes in developing countries has increased the potential for the transmission of pathogens like Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Objectives. This study addressed issues relating to waste scavenging, the potential risk in waste scavenging work and seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus and its relationship with wastes scavenging among wastes scavengers in Kwara State. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the scavengers working for major scrap dealers in the three senatorial districts of Kwara State. Consequently, to accomplish the objectives, both primary and secondary data sources were used. The primary data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, blood test and field observations. Whereas the secondary data were extracted from different published and unpublished materials. 240 respondents were administered with questionnaires and undergone hepatitis surface antigen test for both hepatitis B and C in nine of the sixteen local government area in the state. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 23) for descriptive and inferential at 5% level of significance. The prevalence of an HBV and HCV infection biological markers (HBsAg and HCsAg) and their associations with exposure to bio-medical waste, socio-demographic factors, and history of occupational injuries was examined. Results. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection among the scavengers were found to be 8.3% and 5% respectively indicating that scavengers are at risk of HBV and HCV infection. Conclusions. It was discovered that there are incidences of Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection among scavengers. Also, awareness and compliance to the usage of PPE was found to be an important factor for protection scavengers against the virus. Therefore, vaccination against HBV, enforcement of usage of PPE, good hygiene practices, regular trainings on occupational safety, proper monitoring by regulatory agency and inclusion of scavengers in mandatory health insurance scheme will help to control risk of HBV and HCV infection among scavengers.

Hepatitis C virus infection in garbage pickers of different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…Another study also reported a higher rate (38.8) of HCV infection in people with primary education than in other categories. Our results for other education categories do not agree with this study [ 16 ]. Other studies also reported a high rate of HCV in solid waste collectors having secondary education from India [ 15 ].…”

“…In our present study, we found a high rate of HCV infection in young people (≤40 years) than in aged persons, which is in agreement with Wanjari and other studies [ 10 , 15 ] stating that the majority of respondents are between 18 and 39 years. Also, another study from India published data from most young people [ 16 ].…”

“…All the plasma samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using rapid diagnostic kits, which work in the rapid immuno-chromatography assay (ICT) manufactured by Abon Biopharma Hangzhou, China) reported anti-HCV antibody detection with 86% specificity and 100% sensitivity[ 16 ]. Anti-HCV antibodies were screened using the ICT technique.…”

Comprehensive Understanding of Hydrogeochemical evaluation of seasonal variability in groundwater quality Dynamics in the Gold Mining Areas of Osun State, Nigeria

“…Heavy-metal contamination of agricultural soils has become a significant environmental concern in human cultures, particularly in developing nations, at the same time as the growth and expansion of industry, mining operations, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Studies have demonstrated that anthropogenic activities such as improper waste management [36][37], industrial, mining, agricultural, and domestic activities as well as geogenic processes like weathering of rock minerals, rainfall intensity, leaching, and local geology of the aquifer [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] are the major controls on groundwater quality. Groundwater was severely contaminated as a result of excessive and unsustainable groundwater extraction for drinking and irrigation, irrigation runoff, surface contaminants permeating the groundwater system, a high rate of evaporation, etc.…”

A Comparative Study of Dumpsites Metal Loads and Ecological Risk in Selected Communities in Kwara and Ekiti States, Nigeria

“…While, municipal wastes are mixed and unsegregated at points of generation, undermining effective management when it comes to treatment and disposal practices. Indiscriminate disposal and sorting of mixed wastes by scavengers have the potential for increased environmental exposure to air, water and soil pollution [9]. The improper waste management also contributes to the contamination of soil while its substantial metal contents are washed away by runoff into water bodies not limited to the streams and rivers thereby making human, animals, plants and the marine environment prone to environmental health risks.…”