HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in garbage scavengers of Karachi

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.