Garima Mittal1, Pratima Gupta2, Rohit Gupta3, Vivek Ahuja3, Manish Mittal4, Minakshi Dhar5. 1. Microbiology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India. 2. Microbiology Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India. 3. Gastroenterology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India. 4. Neurology Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India. 5. Medicine Department, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: 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.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: 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.
Entities:
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