ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to assess the frequency of HCV sero-positivity and to see the risk factors associated with it. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted at Blood Bank in Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Bahawalpur. The study was done from July to December 2008. One hundred [100] healthy blood donors of either sex, age between 18 and 50 years, who reported for blood donation were enrolled for this study through convenience sampling method [non-probable technique]. Persons with high blood pressure and H/O previous major surgeries were excluded. The anti-H.C.V. one step Hepatitis "C" Antigen Test Device, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis "C" Antigen in serum or plasma-was used. Data were recorded in the structured Performa for further processing of data. Results were compiled by using SPSS [version 12.0] and Microsoft office to process the data. Most [94%] of the healthy, volunteer blood donors were male. Out of 100 subjects, eight [8%] were found to be HCV sero-positive. The independent risk factors associated with HCV sero-positive cases were post-transfusion history of jaundice, history of surgery, dental procedures, needle prick accidents, sexual promiscuity, tattooing, intravenous drug use and razor and scissors sharing. The frequency of HCV sero-positivity among the healthy blood donors is 8% which is quite high and alarming. Most of the risk factors associated with it involve parenteral route of viral transmission