Khalid Siddiqui, Saeed Siddiqui, Aijaz Ahmad Sohag.
Hepatitis B & C: share of young rural populace of Sindh.
Med Channel Jan ;16(2):215-8.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis B and C and identify associated risk factors among young people of rural Sindh seeking recruitment in Pakistan Army. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study Conducted at combined Military Hospital Hyderabad over a period of five months (April 2006 to September 2006) STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross sectional Laboratory based study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2600 young people, mostly male from various areas of rural Sindh were studied. ‘HBs Ag’ and Anti ‘HCV’ were tested by immunochromatographic essay and positive test were confirmed by ELISA method. RESULTS: 2320( 89.23 %) were male and 280 (10.77 %) were female with age range of 17-26 years. 402 subjects were found positive in all three categories of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and both hepatitis B and C. ELISA test was detected positive in 340 (13.11 %) (303 male and 37 female) study subjects, 187 (7.23 %) were found positive for HBS Ag, 128 (4.92 %) were found positive for anti-HCV, 25(0.96 %) were found positive for both HBS Ag and anti-HCV. Specified related risk factors among young people of rural Sindh were found positively associated. CONCLUSION: The frequency of the disease showed a rising pattern and require attention of all concerned .A massive health education campaign in rural areas of Sindh regarding HBV and HCV infection along with Hepatitis B vaccination at all health care outlets should be organized along with other EPI diseases.

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