HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in garbage scavengers of Karachi. J Pak Med Assoc 2013 Jun;63(6):798-802
Date
08/02/2013Pubmed ID
23901694Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84878240543 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 18 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C, and to study the associated risk factors in garbage scavengers of Karachi.
METHODS: The cross-sectional study was performed in a colony inhabited by low socioeconomic garbage-collecting people. Data was collected from April to December 2011. After informed consent and pre-test counselling, a set of questions were asked from a questionnaire, and 5cc of blood was drawn for pathological testing. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 141 males agreed to participate in the study with a mean age of 21.33+/-9.28 years. Most of the respondents (n=67; 47.5%) were in the age group 11-20 years; 86 (61%) were single; 89 (63%) were illiterate and 127 (90%) had a monthly income less than Rs.10,000. Prevalence of hepatitis B was 18.8% (n=22), followed by 8.5% (n=10) and 0.85% (n=1) of hepatitis C and HIV respectively. Besides, 108 (77%) collected needles/syringes and 76 (54%) got pricked more than once. Only 23 (16%) wore gloves while collecting garbage. Overall, 79 (56%) had a history of sexual contact; 18 (23%) had three or more partners.
CONCLUSION: The important factors contributing to the high prevalence of hepatitis B and C were needle prick injuries, bare-handed/bare-footed collection of garbage, poor vaccination status, improper garbage disposal system and the site of waste collection.
Author List
Rauf MU, Saleem MD, Anwer MO, Ahmed G, Aziz S, Memon MAAuthor
Gulrayz Ahmed MD Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Garbage
HIV Infections
Hepatitis B, Chronic
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Humans
Male
Occupational Exposure
Pakistan
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
