Frequency of hepatitis B and C in selected groups of population in NWFP, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in selected groups of population in NWFP. Material and We analyzed our unpublished data as well as searched out local data, published till December 2006, to know the frequency of Hepatitis B and C in. NWFP in the following groups 1] general population, 2] healthy blood donors, 3] pre-procedure screening, 4] patients with liver diseases, and 5] high risk populations like thalassaemia. We found 2.28% prevalence for hepatitis B virus [HBV] and 3.19% for hepatitis C virus [HCV] in general population, 1.83% [HBV] and 2.34% [HCV] in healthy blood donors, 2.09% [HBV] and 4.06% [HCV] in screening data, 27.55% [HBV] and 48.78% [HCV] in chronic hepatitis patients, 26.56% [HBV] and 51.09% [HCV] in liver cirrhosis, 14.28% [HBV] and 67.86% [HCV] in hepatoma, and 6.7% [HBV] and 40.9% [HCV] in children with thalassaemia requiring multiple transfusions. We conclude that HCV and HBV has become one of the major problems in NWFP like the rest of the country, resulting in chronic liver disease and its complications