Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B and C infections are two major public health problems with a prevalence of 2.4%and3% worldwide respectively. The epidemiology and burden of HBV and HCV infection varies
throughout the world, with country-specific prevalence ranging from <1% to >10%.Hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the principal causes of severe liver disease; including
hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis-related end stage liver disease. Hepatitis B is estimated to
result in 563,000 deaths and hepatitis C in 366,000 deaths annually. Pakistan is among the worst
afflicted nations.
Aim: To assess the age and gender based prevalence of hepatitis B and C in a tertiary care hospital
during last one year i.e., from April 2015 to April 2016.
Design: Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman,
Lahore, from April 2015 to April 2016.
Methods: A total of 6863 patients of all age groups and both genders, were included in this study who
were screened for anti-HCV antibodies and HBsAg by 3rd generation ELISA.
Results: Out of 6863 patients,483 patients were positive for both Hepatitis B and C infection with 15
patients having border-line positivity.366(5.33%)were found positive for anti-HCV antibodies and one
was border-line positive. Out of 6863 patients, 117(1.70 %) patients were HBV positive whereas14
patients were border-line. The mean age of the patients was 37.04 years. The youngest was 02 years
while the oldest was 84 years. The age group (21-30years) has the highest prevalence of 44.2%
(n=162/366) and 40.1% (n=47/117) for both HCV and HBV infections, respectively. The frequency of
hepatitis C and hepatitis B was higher among the females, 196/366 (53.55%)and64/118 (54.23%) as
compared to male, 170/366(46.44%)and 53/118 (45.91%) respectively.
Conclusion: Prevalence of both Hepatitis B and C is quite high in our population. Rate is higher in
young adults and in females.
