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Ejaz S, Abdullah I, Malik WN, Anjum S, Ashraf M, Akhtar N, Khan A, Hameed Y, Usman M, Cheema U, Sidiq S. Screening of hepatitis B and C viral infection, recognition of risk factors, and immunization of patients against hepatitis B virus: a module developed for effective hepatitis control. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1269209. [PMID: 38106902 PMCID: PMC10721974 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The continually increasing incidence of hepatitis, a worldwide health issue, in Pakistan, has highlighted the need to investigate the epidemiology factors and implement preventive measures accordingly. The purpose of this study was to scrutinize the prevalent and significantly associated risk factors of hepatitis in students and employees, screening them for hepatitis B and C virus and vaccinating them against HBV to make IUB hepatitis free. Methodology A total of 12,912 participants including students (n = 10,948) and employees (n = 1964) were screened for HBV and HCV via immunochromatographic test. Hepatitis- positive participants' blood samples were further tested and viral load was estimated by quantitative PCR. All the hepatitis-negative participants were vaccinated against HBV. The demographic and risk factors-related data were collected using the questionnaire. Statistical analysis (Chi-square test and bivariate regression analysis) was performed using SPSS software to explore any association between risk factors and hepatitis. Results Results indicated that 662/12912 participants (students = 478/10,948, employees = 184/1,964) tested positive for hepatitis. Among them, HCV was observed to be more prevalent than HBV among the study participants, employees, and students, and viral count was low in both HBV and HCV-infected participants. However, men were more affected than women. The studied risk factors represented higher frequency among hepatitis-positive participants relative to the hepatitis-negative participants. The Chi-square test revealed that students' gender, history of hepatitis in the family and relatives, dental treatment, sharing cosmetics and shaving blades were significant (p > 0.005) risk factors of hepatitis while in the employees group surgery and age were significant. Moreover, the reused of syringes was found to be associated with hepatitis in both groups. The bivariate analysis helped to identify various new risk factors which were independently, either positively or negatively, associated with hepatitis. Discussion Our study enabled us to recognize different risk factors of hepatitis among the target population. The information thus generated can be usefully applied in planning hepatitis awareness, targeted screening, and effective control programs for other target populations. In general, this module can be further utilized for any other disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samina Ejaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Abdullah
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Waqas Nazir Malik
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Anjum
- Institute of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Institute of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Akhtar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Yasir Hameed
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (IBBB), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Usman Cheema
- Medical Division, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Safeena Sidiq
- Women Health Care Center and Maternity Home (WHCC&MH), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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Evaluation of Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in Reference Center Hospital in Turkey's Southeast Anatolia Among Patients Referred for Major or Minimally Invasive Surgery: Last Decade Experience in a Previously High Prevalence Area. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.119654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a high worldwide prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections, among the significant causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in a referral center hospital in Southeast Anatolia among patients that applied for major or minimally invasive surgery. Methods: In a tertiary referral state hospital for general purposes, patients undergoing surgical procedures and serologic examinations for HBV and HCV were included in the study between January 2011 and September 2020. Results: In the general population, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs were examined in 220,724 patients, and anti-HCV was examined in 186,017 patients. The mean age was 42.3 ± 20.2 years with a 51.8% male distribution. The frequency of positive HBsAg and anti-HCV in all patients was 9.4 and 0.9%, respectively. On the other hand, the frequency of positive HBsAg and anti-HCV was 4.2 and 0.7%, respectively, among patients admitted for a surgical procedure. The mean age was 46.1 ± 21.1 years with a slightly male predominance (54 vs. 46%). In this group, the frequency of positive HBsAg was higher in males (5.1%) while the lowest was in the 1 - 10 age range (0.4%) and the highest in the 41 - 50 age range (5.7%). Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence of HBsAg positivity decreased from 6.4 to 4.0%, while anti-HCV positivity was similar in both genders, and its frequency increased with age. Conclusions: Between 2011 and 2020, the overall prevalence of HBV and HCV decreased in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey.
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Mustafa ZU, Kow CS, Hasan SS. Effect of COVID-19 on viral hepatitis services in Pakistan. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 6:163-164. [PMID: 33581756 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chia Siang Kow
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Syed Shahzad Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Khan A, Afzal S, Yaqoob A, Fatima R, Ul Haq M, Junaid K, Nadir A. Epidemiology of viral hepatitis B and C in Punjab, Pakistan: a multicenter cross-sectional study, 2017-18. F1000Res 2019. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20174.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Globally, approximately 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which are responsible for 96% of all hepatitis-related mortality. Pakistan has the second highest prevalence of HCV in the world. Methods: We conducted this study to ascertain the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infections in Punjab. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 24 Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Clinics of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center clinics, Lahore. A total of 141,705 individuals who visited the clinics during 2017-18 were included for seroprevalence analysis of hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (Anti-HCV). In addition, 12,427 individuals from the main group underwent detailed face-to-face interviews based on a predesigned questionnaire for risk factor assessment. Results: The overall prevalence for HBV and HCV was 8.4% and 42.7%, respectively. Of those with HCV infection, 4.2% had a co-infection. The transgender population had a higher seroprevalence of HBV (11.8%) and HCV (58.8%). Higher HBV seroprevalence was found in a younger age group (16-30 years), while the older age group (>61 years) had a higher HCV seroprevalence. Geographically, Muzaffargarh district had the highest HBV seroprevalence at 26%, followed by Rajanpur district (20.3%). HCV seroprevalence was significantly (P value <0.05) higher in Shujabad district (66.4%), followed by Muzaffargarh (65.2%). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, age, gender, intravenous injections, hijama therapy, dental procedure, circumcision by barbers, barber shaving, hospitalization and having had surgical procedures were all found to be significant risk factors (OR >1; p<0.05) for HBV and HCV. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for proper implementation of preventive and control strategies, as well as formal evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. Sustainable and adequate funding of public-sector hepatitis programs is also an extremely important area that should not be neglected.
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