Frequency and transmission mode of hepatitis C virus in Northern Sindh

ABSTRACT

To study the frequency of hepatitis C and mode of transmission in patients of chronic liver disease [CLD]. Design: A descriptive, non-interventional study. Place and Duration of Study The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana over a period of 6-year [January 1997-December 2002]. Patients and The study included 1074 patients of chronic liver disease admitted to the department of medicine due to HCV. Their variables were recorded and analyzed. A total of 1074 patients, comprising of 564 of chronic hepatitis [group I] and 510 of cirrhosis liver [group II] respectively were studied. The male to female ratio was 21 in both groups. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 51% in group I and 57% in group II. Use of syringes [62%] was an important risk factor. HCV is a leading cause of CLD. The leading risk factor identified is the use of contaminated syringes