RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS B AND C AMONG MILITARY RECRUITS

Abstract

Objective: To determine significant risk factors for hepatitis B and C in young military recruits testing positive during pre enrollment screening.
Study Design: Case control analytical study.
Material and Method: Healthy male recruits during June -December 2005 at Pathology Laboratory, CMH Malir Cantt.
Results: The analysis of risk factors among cases and controls has been categorized into two groups according to source of risk. History of previous therapeutic injection administration during the past 5 years, blood donation and sharing toothbrushes and razors in family revealed results which were significant with p- value of 0.002, 0.007 and 0.001 respectively. None of the other risk factors assessed in the comparable groups were found to be significant. Other factors considered plausible by other studies for transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses; like tattooing, ever lived in hostel and injection drug abuse showed OR < 1, this suggested insufficient sample size and frame before any suggestion of direction of association.
Conclusion: History of injections for therapeutic purposes, blood donation and sharing toothbrushes and razors among family members were the factors which were significant amongst cases.