FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B&C IN YOUNG ASYMPTOMATIC MALES

Frequency of Hepatitis B&C

Abstract

Objective: To understand the latest trends of hepatitis B and C viruses frequency by detecting Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies in young asymptomatic males.
Design: Descriptive study.
Setting and Duration: This study has been carried out at the Department of Pathology Combined Military Hospital, Risalpur and Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from 1st March 2010 to 30th September 2010.
Material and Methods: One thousand and forty two physically fit candidates between 17 to 23 years of age, reporting to Engineer Centre Risalpur, from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for induction in Armed Forces, were enrolled in the study by non-probability convenience sampling. They were screened for HBsAg and anti HCV by Immuno-chromatographic rapid test devices, at Pathology Department Combined Military Hospital Risalpur. All positive samples were confirmed from Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi by Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent assay.
Results: Out of 1042 study subjects, screened during the period, 31 (2.97%) were found to be positive for HBsAg and 16 (1.53%) for anti HCV. As per available information, 876 study subjects belonged to rural areas and 166 belonged to urban areas. Mean age was 20±1.4 years and range was 17 to 23 years. Province wise 987 individuals belonged to Punjab, out of which 30 cases (3.0%) were positive for HBsAg and 15 cases (1.5%) were positive for anti HCV, which indicates that the predominant part of the study subjects were from Punjab and their positivity percentage is almost same as given in the study, whereas 55 individuals belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Conclusion: Frequency of Hepatitis B and C in asymptomatic young males of Punjab is 3% and 1.5% respectively and that for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 1.8% for both viruses.