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Prevalence of HCV among the high risk groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Ijaz Ali1, Lubna Siddique, Latif U Rehman

  • 1Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan. Laila_28@ymail.com

Virology Journal
|June 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in Pakistan, particularly among high-risk groups. Healthcare facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are significant contributors to HCV transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis C is a significant global health concern caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a blood-borne pathogen.
  • Understanding HCV prevalence in specific populations is crucial for targeted intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and active HCV infection among various risk groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • To investigate the role of healthcare facilities in the transmission of HCV within the study region.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of blood samples from diverse risk groups, including thalassemics, dialysis patients, and individuals with histories of major surgery, dental surgery, or injection drug use.
  • Utilized Immunochromtographic tests for antibody detection and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for identifying active HCV infection.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of active HCV infection among high-risk groups was 15.57% (26 out of 167 individuals).
  • Specific prevalence rates varied across groups: 15% (thalassemics), 28% (dialysis), 8% (major surgery), 14.28% (dental surgery), and 14.28% (injection drug users).

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa play a substantial role in the spread of HCV infection.
  • Findings highlight the urgent need for improved infection control measures within healthcare settings to curb HCV transmission.

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