Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies among Inmates in North Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a serious global health concern, with an estimated 189 million cases and 71 million chronic carriers. The lack of data among certain populations in low- and middle-income nations like Nigeria exacerbates the dilemma. The purpose of this research is to ascertain the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in adult inmates in north-central Nigeria. In this cross-sectional survey, 385 adult inmates (age 18 years and above) were enrolled from three selected correctional facilities in North Central Nigeria. Each volunteer gave their informed consent before blood sample collection. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to the consented 385 inmates. A venous blood sample (5mL) was collected from each inmate and tested for the presence of HCV antibody. Aria HCV Ab PLUS COMBO Rapid Test cassette, which is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay, was used to screen the samples for anti-HCV antibodies. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are 98.7% and 99.6%, respectively, while the overall Agreement is 99.3%. The screening is performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The mean age of the participants was 33.92 years. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 7.27%, indicating a significant health concern among inmates. These findings suggest the need for enhanced screening and preventive measures in correctional facilities. The bivariate analyses of risk factors associated with the transmission of hepatitis c virus infection showed no statistical significance. The high prevalence (7.27%) of anti-HCV antibodies among the inmates calls for serious and urgent public health intervention through enhanced screening and public education. The documented risk factors associated with transmission of hepatitis c virus need to be reviewed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, as there may be other possible routes of hepatitis c virus transmission other than parenteral.