Changing frequency of hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C positive cases among blood donors screened in blood bank at Nishtar hospital, Multan

ABSTRACT

To determine the change in frequency of Hepatitis-C and B in blood donors presented for screening at blood bank of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. This cross sectional, descriptive hospital based study was carried out in Community Medicine Department, Nishtar Medical College, Multan in collaboration with the Blood Bank at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. A total of 300 donors were screened for hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C during the month of June 2009. Among 300 blood donors screened for hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C, 92.7% were males while females were only 7.3%. Among all blood donors screened, 6% were found hepatitis-B positive and 5.3% were found hepatitis-C positive. Hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C are increasing at an alarming rate in Multan and the surrounding areas. Aggressive measures are needed for control this epidemic