Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV in healthy blood donors in northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To determine the seropositivity for viral hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in healthy blood donor population of Northern areas of Pakistan. The blood donors attending the blood bank of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar were screened for seromarkers of viral hepatitis B, C and HIV by using enzyme linked immunoassay [ELISA] over a period of 05 years. The data of blood donor screening was obtained from Services Hospital, Peshawar for comparison. Blood donors screened at H.M.C. Hospital showed seropositivity of 1.40% and 1.34% for hepatitis B and hepatitis C respectively from 1999 - 2003. Screening of blood donors at Services Hospital, Peshawar during the same period, detected 1.75% HBsAg positive and 2.60% anti-HCV positive subjects. No HIV positive blood donor was detected in both the hospitals during this period. This study concluded a decreasing trend in the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis [B and C] in the blood donor population of Northern Pakistan