SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C

AMONG HEALTHY BLOOD DONORS IN BLOOD BANKS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

Objectives: To find out seroprevalence of Hepatitis C among healthy blood donors
in Khyber PakhtunKhwa. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: From
1st July 2008 to March,2009. The study was conducted by department of Community Medicine
KMU Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat. All healthy blood donors who reported for bleeding in
blood banks of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were screened for Hepatitis C antibodies. The study was
conducted in seventeen (17) districts and three (3) teaching hospitals. The kits used were rapid
immunochromatography kits. The kits were provided by safe blood transfusion project of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. Results: A total of 61170 healthy blood donors were screened during a period of 9
months. Out of which 1341 (2.19%)were positive for hepatitis antibody. Conclusions: Hepatitis C
virus infection has become a major health problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Blood is one of the
main source of infection. Strict monitoring of blood is necessary before transfusion. To limit and
prevent the spread of Hepatitis C, public awareness by print, social and electronic media is the
need of time. Resource allocation is necessary