Prevalence of anti - hepatitis C antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen in healthy male naval recruits.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] are the commonest causes of chronic liver disease the world over including Pakistan. Various studies done in the past show wide variation in the results. Freshly inducted healthy recruits selected in Pakistan Navy were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-hepatitis C antibodies [anti-HCV]. This study was carried out in PNS Shifa hospital Karachi. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 2.2% [95% CI1.3-3.1%] and HBsAg was 3.2% [95% CI2.1-4.3%]. There was variation in prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg in different cities. This study indicates that there is a considerable HBV and HCV threat to our population