Muhammad Ryas, Tassawar Hussain, Farhat Abbas Bhatti, Farooq Ahmed, Waheeduz Zaman Tariq, Muhammad Farooq Khattak.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Blood Donors in Northern Pakistan.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;5(2):56-9.

Background: To document the likely risk factors of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Methods: 1885 consecutive, healthy blood donations were screened for HBsAg, Anti-HIV and Anti-HCV antibodies (HCV Ab). Those found positive for HCV Ab and a proportion of controls negative for these viral markers were interviewed for the possible risk factors and assessed for presence of liver disease. Results: The prevalence rate of anti-HCV antibodies (4.7%) was less than HBs Ag positivity (6.4%). There was no significant overlap (0.5%) between the seropositivity of Anti-HCV with HBsAg, suggesting different epidemiological factors. Anti-HCV antibodies positive donors were evaluated further; 64% were between 21-30 years of age, 79%, had one or more of the likely risk factors; major risk factors being blood group testing (71%), parenteral drug administration i.e. I/V, I/M injections (71%), dental extraction (19%), surgery (15%), heterosexual contact with prostitutes (19%) and multiple blood transfusions (2%). Seven percent of the donors gave no history of possible exposure. Elevated levels of ALT were found in 56% of Anti-HCV positive donors. Conclusion: Most of the HCV infection spread in this country may be occurring through health care facilities. Minimising all kind of needle-pricks as far as possible is advised till proper aseptic practice can be ensured at such facilities.

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