RESUMO
Viral hepatitis is a major global public health problem and both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are rapidly spreading in the developing countries including Bangladesh. A molecular characteristic-based epidemiological study was conducted to identify the Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Dhaka City, Bangladesh among all age groups, gender and marital status and to identify the possible risk factors for acquiring the infections. Informed consent was taken from every individual being tested and approval was obtained from institutional ethical review committee. Using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for 1855 blood samples, our study clearly indicated a high prevalence of active HBV and HCV as 8.0% and 3.0% respectively in general public of Savar, Dhaka. Both HBV and HCV prevalence varied significantly in different age groups with respect to gender and marital status. In case of HBV, it was least prevalent for individuals whose age was above 60 years. Contrary in case of HCV, it was least prevalent for individuals whose age was below 11 years and above 60 years. However, middle aged populations, especially 31–40 and 21–30 year individuals were observed at higher risk of hepatitis B and C ailments with 11.28% active HBV prevalence and 5.77% active HCV prevalence with respect to gender, respectively. The findings and further studies of genotype distribution might guide eventually the development, adaptation and evaluation of prevention strategies.
RESUMO
Background: Iodine is essential for normal growth, mental development and survival of infants. Bangladesh is an iodine deficient region. Breast milk is the only source of iodine for exclusively breast-fed infants. Routine measurement of breast milk iodine concentration is very difficult in our country due to some social and religious barriers. So, we designed this study in our population using urinary iodine as the indicator for assessing iodine status. Objectives: To assess the iodine status of lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants and to propose a method on how to predict the iodine concentration in breast milk. Materials and Methods: This observational analytical study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka with active cooperation of Kumudini Women’s Medical College Hospital, Mirzapur, Tangail involving fifty lactating mothers and their exclusively breast-fed infants. Early morning urine and breast milk samples were collected in dry and clean plastic container free from any chemical contamination. All statistical analyses were done by using SPSS (Statistical Programme for Social Science) 12 version software package for windows. Results: The median (range) urinary iodine concentration of lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants were 225.25 μg/L (61.50-530.00) and 225.75 μg/L (100.50-526.50). 96% (48) mothers had no biochemical iodine deficiency (UIE ≥100μg/L), only 4% (2) mothers had mild biochemical iodine deficiency (UIE 50-99μg/L). There was no biochemical deficiency of breast-fed infants. The median (range) breast-milk iodine concentration was 157 μg/L (54.50-431.50) which was more than three times of recommended minimum concentration (50 μg/L). Iodine in breast milk of lactating mothers positively correlated with their urinary iodine excretion (P<0.01). Infant’s urinary iodine positively correlated with iodine concentration in breast milk (P<0.01) and also positively correlated with urinary iodine excretion of lactating mothers. Conclusion: Lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants in this study were found iodine sufficient. Urinary iodine concentration of lactating mothers predicts the iodine content of their breast milk.