Prevalence of Hepatitis B among Food Vendors in Wurukum Market, Makurdi Benue State

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Published Dec 21, 2018
DOI https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2018/v2i329262
    Page: 1-5

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V. U. Obisike
Department of Zoology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
C. M. Uke
Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
E. U. Amuta
Department of Zoology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a life threatening infectious liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV among food vendors in Wurukum, a highly commercial section of metropolitan Makurdi in Benue State. The test was carried out with the use of an immunochromatographic  micropoint HBsAg test strips and a HBsAg  buffer screen for the virus. Out of the 250 non-vaccinated food vendors sampled, 27(10.8%) had HBV infection, with more in males (21.7%) than in females (6.6%). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found among age groups in spite of the observed highest prevalence of 14.3% among the 20-29 year olds. Therefore, the need for routine screening cannot be overemphasized in spite of known risk factors among food vendors.

Keywords:
HBV, food vendors.

Article Details

How to Cite
Obisike, V. U., Uke, C. M., & Amuta, E. U. (2018). Prevalence of Hepatitis B among Food Vendors in Wurukum Market, Makurdi Benue State. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology, 2(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2018/v2i329262
Issue
2018 - Volume 2 [Issue 3]
Section
Original Research Article