Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh, Shafique-ur Rehman Memon, Jai Pal Paryani, Ubedullah Shaikh, Atif Jawed Bhatti.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in urological patients.
Gomal J Med Sci Jan ;10(1):107-10.

Background: To determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C virus infection in urological patients and assess the risk factors. Methods: This observational study was conducted at department of urology Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, from January 2010 to December 2011.Patients admit-ted at urology department during the study period were screened for HBV & HCV, and detailed history was taken to find out risk factors causing hepatitis B & C in urological patients. Results: A total 1472 patients were screened including 1152(78.26%) male and 320(21.73%) female patients. Out of 1472 patients 252(17.11%) were found positive for HBV & HCV. Visit to general practitioner and frequent use of Intravenous and Intra-muscular drugs was risk factor found in 225(89%) patients. A visit to barber for shaving and hair cut was found in 139(72.3%) patients. Previous history of surgical procedures was found in 91(36.1%) patients. Blood transfusion was found in 49(19.4%) patients in past. Visit to dentist for procedures was found in 37(14.68%) patients. Road traffic accident in the past was seen in 14(5.5%) patients. Conclusion: The high prevalence i.e. 17.11% of hepatitis B & C in urological patient suggests that pre-operative screening of all patients for hepatitis B & C should be made mandatory. Public awareness regarding hazards and common modes of disease transmission should be transmitted through print and electronic media and public aware-ness programs.

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