Frequency of hepatitis B and C on screening in Dera Ismail Khan

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B and C virus infections account for a substantial proportion of liver diseases worldwide. This study was conducted to find out the frequency of hepatitis B & C and associated risk factors in patients clinically suspected as having hepatitis.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Pathology Department, Gomal Medical College D.I.Khan. Patients suspected of having hepatitis and referred by consultants for investigation, during February 2008 to January 2009 were included. HBsAg and Anti-HCV antibodies screening was done with immune-chromatographic technique one-step device. Positive cases were confirmed by ELISA.

Results: Total 1544 patients were tested; 1043 males and 501 females, with males to female ratio of 2:1. Out of these 248(16.06%) were HBsAg positive and 101(6.54%) anti-HCV positive. The mean age of HBsAg positive patients was 27.16±11.94 years, while that of Anti-HCV was 35.58 ±13.93 years. Concurrent infection was found in 4 male patients for both HBsAg and Anti-HCV. As risk factors, parenteral drug administration was the most common risk factor and barber visit the second most common in males while piercing of ear/nose in females.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B and C are common in this region. Hepatitis B is more frequent than C. Males are affected more as compared to females. Transmission by parenteral route is the most common risk factor.