SEROPREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS B & C IN A COHORT OF ADULT MALES IN NORTH-EASTERN PUNJAB

Authors

  • Syed Yousaf Kazmi
  • Rifat Nadeem Ahmad
  • Sajida Naseem

Abstract

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B & C and associated risk factors in a cohort of adult males in north-eastern Punjab.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital, Sialkot, from January 2009 to June 2011, when 3824 male applicants for enrolment in the Army were screened for viral hepatitis B and C by ELISA method. Positive cases were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire to identify associated risk factors.

Results: All subjects were males with a median age of 19.6 years (17-22) belonging to Districts Sialkot (25%), Gujranwala (21%) and Narowal (54%). Out of 3824 men screened, 167 (4.7%) were positive for viral Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, while 248 (6.5%) were positive for anti-Hepatitis C Virus antibodies. Among the positive cases (n=415), 62 (15%) gave history of tattooing, 253 (61%) had visited dental quacks, all (100%) had undergone circumcision, while 8 (2%) had history of surgical procedures in hospital. There was no history of intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, sharing of razors or sexual contact. All of them had some awareness of viral hepatitis B & C.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B & C among healthy young adult males in north-eastern Punjab is higher than the national average. Unsafe dental procedures and tattooing are important risk factors for these infections.

Key words: Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Epidemiologic Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Risk Factors

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Published

03-08-2016

How to Cite

1.
Kazmi SY, Ahmad RN, Naseem S. SEROPREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS B & C IN A COHORT OF ADULT MALES IN NORTH-EASTERN PUNJAB. Pak J Pathol [Internet]. 2016 Aug. 3 [cited 2024 Apr. 26];24(1). Available from: https://pakjpath.com/index.php/Pak-J-Pathol/article/view/54

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2016 Syed Yousaf Kazmi, Rifat Nadeem Ahmad, Sajida Naseem

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