PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B & HEPATITIS C

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients in routine indoor admissions at
Nishtar Hospital, Multan from Southern Punjab. Design: Case Control Study. Place and Duration of
Study: Medical units of Nishtar Hospital, Multan from February 2002 to July 2002. Subjects & Methods:
During the course of this study, hepatitis B and hepatitis C positive cases were selected on the basis of
laboratory diagnosis like antibodies against hepatitis B and C, and in some cases, ELIZA and even PCR was
also performed. Results: Out of 132 cases, 79 (59.8%) males and 26 (19.7%) females were positive for
hepatitis B while 20 (15.2%) males and 7 (5.3%) females were positive for hepatitis C. Higher incidence
of hepatitis was seen in patients who were going to the barber for shaving or having a history of blood
transfusion. Conclusions: The study shows that hepatitis is more prevalent in men (62.9%) who are going
to barber for shaving. While blood transfusion (39.7%) is the second most important factor in spread of
hepatitis. Ear piercing (15.9%) is another important cause among the female population in Pakistan.