Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in health care workers in Abbottabad.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV & HCV) are hepatotropic viruses causing viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Modes of infection are more or less similar. HBV is vaccine preventable while HCV is not. They are prevalent in different parts of the world including Pakistan. The rate of prevalence varies from region to region and among different population segments. The present study was planned to see the prevalence of HBV & HVC among health care workers in various hospitals of Abbottabad.


METHODS
The study was conducted at the District Headquarter Teaching Hospital Abbottabad over a period of one year on 125 health care workers of different categories and either sex. Brief history was taken from each individual and physical examination was performed. Blood samples were taken for HBV and HC serology. Positive sera were confirmed by 3rd generation ELISA.


RESULTS
As much as 8% individuals were positive for HBV or HCV. HBV alone was seen in 3 out of 10 (30%) individuals. HCV alone was also found in 3 out of 10 (30%) individuals. HBV and HCV co-infection was seen in 4 out of 10 (40%) individuals. Dental procedures, needle prick and surgical procedures were found the common risk factors. Blood transfusion was known in 2 out of 10 (20%) individuals. Family history of hepatitis was not positive in any individual.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the present study differ from those of the previous studies conducted on health care workers in Pakistan.
Sarwar
Javed
J
Department of Medicine, Women Medical College Abbottabad, Pakistan. drjaved_pk@yahoo.com
Gul
Nasreen
N
Idris
Muhammad
M
Anis-ur-Rehman
Farid
Jamila
J
Adeel
Muhammad Yasir
MY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies