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

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.