Prevalence of hepatitis 'B' and 'C' in surgical patients

ABSTRACT

To find out the prevalence of Hepatitis-B and C in our surgical patients. Prospective, descriptive study carried out from May to October, 2005. Surgical Unit I, Peoples Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah. Patients of either sex, more than 13 years of age undergoing surgery. All the patients in the study underwent screening for Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C The information of the patients was recorded on a prepared proforma, and analyzed. The prevalence of Hepatitis-B was found to be 8.6% [5.8-12.12] and Hepatitis-C 11.6% [8.3-15.6], whereas in 20.33% [16.0-25.1] cases both Hepatitis-B and C were present. The high prevalence of Hepatitis-B and C found by the study suggests a routine, rather mandatory screening of all patients proceeding for surgery