Nadir Ali, Javed Khattak, Masood Anwar, Waheeduz Zaman Tariq, Mansoor Nadeem, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Asif, Agha Babar Hussain.
Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies in young healthy adults.
Pak J Pathol Jan ;13(4):3-6.

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg in young healthy persons and correlate it among young healthy adults of various provinces and subgroups based on cast and clans. This is a prospective study to assess the prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg keeping in view difference of frequency in different community groups. A brief history was taken to record province, cast and living style. Anti HCV and HBsAg screening was performed through chromo-immunoassay method. All sera showing reactivity were then confirmed with ELISA test at AFIP Rawalpindi. All young adults reporting for recruitment in Army from April 2002 to December 2002 have been included in study. Five thousand three hundred seventy one adults with age between 18 and 23 years reported in our lab between April 2002 and December 2002. HBsAg was positive in 190(3.53%) persons. Anti HCV was positive in 177(3.29%) persons. HBsAg was detectable in 4.1% Punjabis, 3.5% Sindhis and in 3% in persons belonging to NWFP. Anti HCV was detectable in 4.5% Punjabis, 2.4% Sindhis and 3% in persons belonging NWFP. Highest frequency of HBsAg was detected in Rajputs of Punjab (6.5%), while highest frequency of anti HCV was detected in Awans of Punjab (6%). It was concluded that HBV and HCV infection are endemic in Pakistan with a difference of frequency in different communities. The risk factors and mode of spread are probably common but differ in importance in various community groups. Further community-based studies are required to find out specific risk factors in a particular community that can help while planning health education.

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