Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Among Inmates and Staff in Lafia Correctional Service, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatitis infection has remained a reoccurring health challenge in blood transfusion, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This cross-sectional study assessed the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus among inmates and staff in Lafia correctional service, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. METHODS A total of 160 samples comprising 120 inmates within the age range of 20-70 years and 40 staff were collected. Serological blood screening was done using the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid test Dip-strip and HCVAb plus rapid test strip. The socio-demographic factors in form of a structured questionnaire were conducted among consenting inmates and staff. The significance of risk factors on the prevalence of the hepatitis infection among inmates was analyzed using logistics regression. RESULTS A total seroprevalence of 29.16 % HBV and 8.3% HCV among inmates and 5% HBV and 2.5% HCV among staff was determined. A prevalence of 30% HBV and 8.18% HCV male, 20% HBV and 10% HCV female inmates, 7% HBV males and 9% HCV female staff were recorded. The prevalence of hepatitis infection among inmates and staff below 40 years was higher than the prevalence above 40 years although insignificant between the two age groups (p ≤ 0.05). Married inmates at 48.8% HBV and 16.3% HCV were more infected than 18.18% HBV and 4% HCV single inmates and single staff were more infected than the married staff. Illicit drug use and length of stay above 5 years in the correctional service were risk factors significant for HBV and HCV prevalence among inmates. CONCLUSIONS A high seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections among inmates and staff in Lafia correctional service, Nigeria and the predisposing risk factors reaffirm the need for sensitization and routine screening of inmates and staff before and during incarceration. Keywords: Hepatitis, seroprevalence, correctional service, Inmates, staff