Frequency and transmission mode of hepatitis C virus in northern Sindh.
OBJECTIVE
To study the frequency of hepatitis C and mode of transmission in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD).


METHODS
A descriptive, non-interventional study.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana over a period of 6-year (January 1997-December 2002).


METHODS
The study included 1074 patients of chronic liver disease admitted to the department of medicine due to HCV. Their variables were recorded and analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 1074 patients, comprising of 564 of chronic hepatitis (group I) and 510 of cirrhosis liver (group II) respectively were studied. The male to female ratio was 2:1 in both groups. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 51% in group I and 57% in group II. Use of syringes (62%) was an important risk factor.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV is a leading cause of CLD. The leading risk factor identified is the use of contaminated syringes.
Shaikh
Majid Ahmed
MA
Department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College, Larkana. majidahmed@yahoo.com
Shaikh
Wazir Muhammad
WM
Solangi
G Akber
GA
Abro
Hakim
H
D000328:Adult; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013594:Syringes / Q000821:virology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies