CAUSES OF PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C IN GOTH BAKHSHOO KHAN LUND, DISTRICT BADIN OF SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out during January to March 2011 to investigate the causes of Hepatitis C in Goth Bakhshoo Khan Lund (GPS Coordinates: 68.83982, 24.65922), union council Kairpoor, District Badin, Pakistan. Fifty three per cent of the population of Goth Bakhshoo Khan Lund was affected with the prevalence of Hepatitis C. One Hundred patients who were already diagnosed cases of Hepatitis C and having their PCR blood reports were included in the study. A standardized questionnaire was developed for analyzing the main causes of Hepatitis C among them. The major cause seen in adult male group was sharing of razors (88%) and usage of used syringes (84%) whereas in adult female group usage of used syringes (72%) and blood transfusion (40%) were the major possible causes of acquiring Hepatitis C. The prevalence of this disease was 12% in male children and 7 % in female children. This appeared to be more probable due to the usage of used syringes (44%) and the family history (36%) in case of male children and more due to ear and nose piercing (80%) than use of used syringes (60%) in female children. Goth Bakhshoo Khan Lund, union council Kairpoor; district Badin is highly affected with Hepatitis C and usage of used syringes is the leading cause of HCV infection there.