PREVALENCE OF THE HCV INFECTION AND AGE OR GENDER RELATED ASSOCIATION IN HCV-POSITIVE PATIENTS FROM GENERAL POPULATION OF LAHORE PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: To present up-to-date information on the prevalence of the HCV infection and to see any age or gender related association in a group of HCV positive patients from general population in suburbs of Lahore.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out on general population in Shahdara, Basi Mor and Mehmood Booty areas, from 1st May to 31st Aug 2018.

Material and Methods: Blood samples of individuals from general population were collected for HCV screening during free medical camps arranged for community welfare. Testing was done using special screening kit for presence or absence of Anti-HCV. Data analysis was done by SPSS 20.

Results: A total of 429 individuals were screened, out of which 58.3% were males while 41.7% females; mean age being 36.15 years. Overall prevalence of HCV was 8.2%. Association of HCV prevalence in this study was statistically significant with advanced age but not with gender. Major mode of transmission was unhygienic medical practices.

Conclusion: High prevalence of hepatitis C was observed in the population which showed statistically significant association with advanced age.