IDENTIFIABLE RISK FACTORS IN HEPATITIS B AND C

Authors

  • Faiz -Ur- Rehman
  • Jehangir Khan
  • Zahid Fida
  • Arshad Parvez
  • Ahmad Rafiq
  • Shandana Syed

Abstract

Background: Both hepatitis B and C are common infections affecting masses and are leading causes ofChronic Liver Disease in Pakistan as well as worldwide. In majority of cases both viral diseases spreadby factors that are preventable. The present study is conducted to determine the identifiable risk factorsin patients admitted with Chronic Hepatitis B and C. Methods: An observational study was carried outfor a period of 6 months. All age groups and both sexes were included. The patients were interviewedand the identifiable risk factors were looked for. The standard methods for detection of Hepatitis B andC were used. Results: One-hundred and ten patients were studied from January to July 2009. Sixty-fivepatients had Hepatitis C, 35 had Hepatitis B, and 10 had both Hepatitis B and C. Ninety-three patientshad a history of injections and transfusions etc., and 38 had surgical scars. Tattoos were present in 42patients and nose and/or ear piercing marks were present in 28 patients. The number of risk factorsincreased in co-infection. Conclusion: There is a role of unhygienic health delivery practices, lack ofawareness and resources for standard screening protocol for spread of Hepatitis B and C.Keywords: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, risk factors, prevention, identifiable, awareness

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Published

2011-12-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 4 (2011): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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