RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C IN LOCAL POPULATION OF PAKISTAN

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the principal causes of severe liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis-related end-stage liver disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 350 million people with chronic HBV infection and 170 million people with chronic HCV infection worldwide. Aims and objectives: The basic aim of the study is to find the risk factors of hepatitis B and C among local population of Pakistan. Methodology of the study: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur during June 2019 to January 2020. A total 120 study participants aged ≥18 years with clinically diagnosed CLD were included in the study by convenient sampling technique. Results: A total of 120 patients with signs and symptoms of CLD were recruited. Of these, 85 subjects completed the study. The mean age ± SD for all the study population was 45±5.6 years (range = 18–80). Majority, 75.8% were below the age of 50 years, 67 (55.8%) were married, 32 (26.7%) single, 11 (9.2%) divorced, and 10 (8.3%) widow. In relation to residence area, 91 (75.8%) of the participants were urban dwellers. Conclusion: It is concluded that prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among CLD patients in this study is high. Dental extraction at health facilities has 2.95 time association of acquisition of HCV infection than those who do not have history of dental extraction.