ABSTRACT
Present study was planned to know the seropercentage of Hepatitis C Antibodies and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in a population based sample of healthy male army/naval recruits from rural Sindh. Laboratory based non-interventional, descriptive study. Conducted at Combined Military Hospital Pano Aqil from 1st January 2006 to 31st October 2006.A total of 5237 healthy male recruits from various districts of interior Sind were studied. HBsAg and Anti-HCV were tested by Immunochromatographic assay and positive tests were confirmed by ELISA method. The percentage of anti-HCV was [4.37%] and was [7.39%] for HBsAg. The percentage of HBsAg in districts Nowsheroferoze [10.11%], Ghotki [9.21%] and Khairpur [7.48%] and Anti-HCV [p<0.0001] in districts Nawabshah [9.32%], Khairpur [6.71%] and Ghotki [6.64%] respectively was higher than the other districts. Both the viruses are evenly distributed among the remaining different Districts` population. There is considerable threat of HBV and HCV in interior Sindh. Screening of selected groups and vaccination against Hepatitis B may be considered in these areas. Health education to general public including barbers would be the key for control/prevention of these dreadful diseases