Misbah Aslam Arain, Zulfiqar Ali Laghari, Ayaz Ali Samo, Salma Farukh Memon, Shakil Ahmed Shaikh, Jamshed Warsi.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, Pakistan.
Rawal Med J Jan ;45(4):750-4.

Objective: To measure the prevalence and risk factors associated with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infection in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, Pakistan. Methodology: Camps were organized in Mirpurkhas city to screen the HBV and HCV in general population using immune-chromatography (ICT) method which was confirmed by ELISA and PCR method. Questionnaire comprised of information about such as age, gender, marital status, religion, injury, nosocomial exposure were administrated in participants. Data was computed using SPSS software. Results: Total 311 participants were included in this study. The prevalence of HBV infection was 6.75% and that of HCV 14.46%. The risk factors which were significantly associated with HBV and HCV infections were hospital associated infections such as hospitalization, blood transfusion, surgery, reused syringe, tattooing and needle injury. Conclusion: The HBV and HCV prevalence in Mirpurkhas is on rise, so there is dire need of speed up HBV vaccination program and launching public health awareness programs with special focus on infectious diseases.

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