A Cross-Sectional Investigation of the Public Health Consequences of Hepatitis B infection among Abattoir Workers in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Introduction: Infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health threat accounting for an estimated nearly one million deaths annually largely due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Abattoir workers were reported to be at high risk of contracting HBV infection. This study was conceived to ascertain the public health consequences of HBV infection among abattoir workers.

Materials and Methods: About 3 - 4 millilitres of venous blood samples were collected from each of 275 participants into pre-labelled EDTA vacutainer tubes and transported in a cold box to the Laboratory. They were analyzed with three different rapid diagnostic test strips and positive results were recorded only for specimens that were reactive to at least two test strips. Test of association between HBV and abattoirs, gender and age were conducted using Pearson’s Chi-Square test of independence and Fisher exact test at significance level below 0.05

Results: The total prevalence of HBV for all the abattoirs was 6.2%. Tereama was dominant with 13.9% positive results, followed by Iloabuchi (12.5%) Wazobia (10.7%), Eagle Island 8.3% Mile three 6.5% and Oil mill 4.7%. Zero prevalence was recorded in six abattoirs. A chi-square test of independence to evaluate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables showed no significant relationship between them, as the p value of .742 is not less than 0.05, therefore the null hypothesis which states that the variables are independent is not rejected.

Conclusion: This study revealed an intermediate prevalence of HBV among abattoir workers in the same range with the general population. The abattoir workers, it appears were not exposed to any more risks of contracting the infection than the general population in the study area. All the same the prevalence of 6.2% was unacceptable and efforts need to be intensified to ensure the eradication of the infection.