Prevalence of hepatitis band c infection in patients admitted at tertiary eye care centre: a hospital based study

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections and the risk factors in patients admitted for ocular treatment at a tertiary eye care centre in Sindh Pakistan. Nine hundred thirty one patients admitted at Liaquat University Eye hospital Hyderabad for ocular treatment, were screened for HBV and HCV. Patients of either sex, with more than thirty years of age were included. Screening for HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and antibodies against HCV [anti-HCV] was performed through chromatography method. Samples repeatedly reactive for HBsAg or anti-HCV were considered positive. Out of 931 registered patients, 497 [53.3%] were male and 434 [46.7%] female. Hepatitis B and C was detected in 167 [17.9%] subjects. The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection within the study period was 4.6%, HCV 13.3%, and for HBV and HCV both was 3.9%. Regarding the predisposing factors, past history of blood transfusion was present in 08.3% subjects, needle injection 89.2%, barber shaving 52.6%, and 46 [27.5%] patients presented with past history of surgery. For the prevention of transmission of HBV and HCV infection, the community awareness regarding vaccination against Hepatitis - B and risk factors for spread of HBV and HCV, implementation of population based screening and vaccination for HBV on large scale should be ensured