Prevalence of hepatitis-B carriers among children in Bahawalpur urban slums

ABSTRACT

To find out the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B carriers among children in Bahawalpur urban slums. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study of 550 children between 6 months to 15 years age in Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] of B.V. Hospital over a period of four months [Mid Sept. 1 999 to Mid Jan. 2000] Bahawalpur urban slums and Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] of B.V. Hospital Bahawalpur. Five hundred fifty children admitted to Paediatric Unit-ll [DTU] and those in Bahowalpur urban slums. Main outcome measures: Seroprevalence of Hepatitis "B" carriers. Mean age of children in our study was 7.5 years. Males were 54%. The number of children detected as carriers of Hepatitis-B was 1 6 [2.9%]. None of the carriers of HB infection, had ever received vaccination against HB infection. Out of 16 carriers 7 cases had successfully completed their EPI schedule, 4 received incomplete vaccination while 5 carriers did not receive any EPI schedule vaccination. Just one seropositive case gave past history of jaundice in his early neonatal period for which he got exchange transfusion. None of the carriers got tattooing nor shared piercing of nose or ears by a common [contaminated] needle nor any history of bath in a swimming pool. There were no signs suggestive of chronic liver disease in any carrier. Overall seroprevalence of Hepatitis-B carriers in Bahawalpur is 2.9%. There is a large cohort of seronegative children. They need to be protected against HBV infection through active immunization