RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS;

Background: Infections with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are worldwide public health problem. Thisis related to the continued occurrence of new infections and the presence of a large reservoir of chronically infected persons. Objective:To determine the frequency of risk factors (causes of transmission) for HBV and HCV infections in hospitalized patients of CMH, Lahoreand Sheikh Zayed hospital, Lahore. Design: Descriptive (cross sectional). Setting: The study was carried out in CMH, Lahore and SheikhZayed hospital, Lahore from January, 2012 to July, 2012. Methods: The patients were selected by consecutive (non-probability)sampling technique. The data was collected through questionnaire. Informed written consent was obtained SPSS version 16.0 was usedto calculate the descriptive statistics. Results: Out of total of 100 subjects, 50 were cases and 50 were controls. Out of 50 cases, 26%were HBV positive and 74% were HCV positive with female preponderance. The history of injections was very high in both the groups,making a total of 64% (14% HBV; 16% HCV) the important contributors for different types of hepatitis were blood transfusion (HBV =10%; HCV = 28%; controls = 14%). Surgical procedures (4% HBV, 28% HCV; 8% controls). History of piercing in the last six months(HBV = 6%; HCV = 22% and control = 8%). History of dental procedures in the last six months was higher in HCV patients (18% HCV and4% HBV). History of HBV or HCV positive patients or relatives at home. (HBV 18%; HCV 36%; control 30%). Conclusions: In Pakistan thereis an urgent need to raise the public awareness about importance of properly screened blood transfusion, use of disposable needles andusing new blades for shaving and haircuts especially at barber shops. In our study, the important contributors for different types ofhepatitis were blood transfusion, surgical procedures and history piercing in the last 6months.