Omar F Khan, Saim M, Sarwar J Zuberi, Huma Qureshi, Syed Ejaz Alam.
Risk factors of hepatitis B and C transmission in patients coming to a hepatology out patients clinic.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;47(2):44-7.

Aims: To see the possible risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis B and C in patients suffering from hepatitis B and C. Setting: Hepatitis B and C patients coming to a public sector hepatology centre and a private clinic. Patients, Methods and Results: All patients suffering from hepatitis B and C of all ages and both gender were included in the questionnaire based study following a verbal consent form all participants. The data was collected over 1 year by 1 doctor at both the OPD and the private clinic. Data on 497 cases was collected, of the total cases 199 were suffering from chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and 298 from hepatitis C (HCV). Males were more infected with chronic liver disease but hepatitis B was more prevalent in males. Majority of HBV (55.8%) and HCV (49.3%) cases were between 25-44 years age group and 40% HBV and 35% HCV cases were educated up to the secondary level. In 9% HBV and 10% HCV cases the father was also suffering from liver disease and 15% HBV and 13% HCV cases had a death of a family member due to liver disease. Risk factors like injections for various ailments was seen in 189 cases (95%) suffering from HBV and 286 (96%) from HCV, similarly past history of surgery and dental treatment and blood transfusion was significantly more in HCV, when compared with HBV. Conclusions: Though both HBV and HCV are blood born diseases but interfamilial spread of these viruses needs to interpreted with caution as it appears that the virus is coming from the community to the house hold members and the possible sources are treating physicians using a reused syringe, a dentist and barbers.

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