Sero-detection of Hepatitis (B) Virus among Butchers in Khartoum State

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids, including sex with an infected partner, injection-drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drugpreparation equipment and needle sticks or exposures to sharp instruments. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted during January 2020 to December 2020 to detect Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) serologically and related risk factors among butchers in Khartoum State. Ninety (n=90) blood specimens were collected from each eligible participant, and structured questionnaire was used to collect data from them. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was used to detect Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Out of 90 butchers, the study found the sero-positivity represent 3/90(3.3%). The seropositivity was more common in age group 20-29 years and there was 2(2.2%) between 20-29 years and 1(1.1%) between 40-49 years. Among the butchers infected with Hepatitis B, 2(2.2%) were single and 1(1.1%) were married, 2(2.2%) were in primary school level 1(1.1%) were university level, 2(2.2%) were had previous occupation butcher and 1(1.1%) were previous occupation other than butcher, 2(2.2%) were had an experience less than one years, 3(3.3%) had cut by shared knife, 1(1.1%) had surgical operation, 2(2.2%) had no history of blood transfusion, 1(1.1%) had previous history of jaundice and all positivity of hepatitis B were not vaccinated. There were significant association between seropositivity of HBsAg and years of experience but there were no significant association between sero-positivity of HBsAg and age group, education level, occupation, marital status, previous history of jaundice, cut by shared knife, shared knives, previous surgical operation, blood transfusion and vaccination. This study concluded that; hepatitis B infection was few among butchers in Khartoum State.