Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among young adult males in Pakistan.
This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at 2 military hospitals in Pakistan from January 2004 to December 2005. Young adult males with age range 17-22 years from different districts of Pakistan were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV). Out of 5707 young men tested, 95 (1.70%) were positive for anti-HCV and 167 (2.93%) for HBsAg. Although both viruses were distributed evenly through-for anti-HCV and 167 (2.93%) for HBsAg. Although both viruses were distributed evenly throughout Pakistan, seroprevalence was higher in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh than in North-West Frontier province and Baluchistan and Azad Kashmir provinces. Health education to the general public, including barbers, would be an important tool for control/preventive measures.
Butt
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Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. tariqbutt24@yahoo.com
Amin
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D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006266:Health Education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies