title: Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in uttarakhand, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are a serious global public health problem affecting billions of people. A population based serological survey was conducted in Uttarakhand, India to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HBV and HCV infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted to achieve the primary objective of estimating the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV seropositivity and to estimate the potential risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 495 volunteers completed the study questionnaire and underwent blood tests for HBsAg and anti-HCV serology. Of these, 339 (68.5%) were males and 156 (31.5%) were females. The mean age of the volunteers was 31 ± 4 years. The overall infection rate was 4.4% (n = 22) in the studied population. The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be 2.8% (n = 14) and of anti-HCV antibodies 1.8% (n = 9), whereas dual infection i.e. HBV and HCV infection was seen in 0.2% (n = 1). The overall analysis of risk factors of our data showed that persons who have received multiple blood transfusions, history of hepatitis among family members, visits to unregistered medical practitioners and uneducated people are at more risk for acquiring hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate an intermediate level of endemicity of HBV and HCV infection in this geographical area of Uttarakhand. Some independent risk factors like blood transfusion, intra familial transmission, and visit to unregistered practitioners were identified.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
authors.forename: Garima
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India.
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Medicine Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
authors.forename: Minakshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dhar
keywords: CLD, chronic liver disease; HBV, hepatitis C virus; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; ICTC, Integrated Counseling and Testing Center; LFT, liver function test; STD, sexually transmitted disease; Uttarakhand; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus; risk factors