FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B AND C IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE SURGERY

Authors

  • Muhammad Rafique Memon
  • Altaf Ahmed Shaikh
  • Aftab Ahmed Soomro
  • Saima Arshad
  • Qarib Abbas Shah

Abstract

Background: Viral Hepatitis (HBV and HCV) is a major health problem affecting approximatelytwo billion population worldwide. It is one of the single most important cause of chronic liverdisease and hepato-cellular carcinoma in Pakistan and worldwide and is now spreading beyondendemic dimensions. This study was carried out to assess the frequency of Hepatitis B and Cinfection in patients undergoing elective surgical operations, and to evaluate the associated riskfactors. Methods: This was a descriptive study, conducted at Surgical Department of GhulamMuhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital, Sukkur, from April 2009 to March 2010. All patientswho were admitted in the Surgical Department for elective surgical operations were included in thestudy. The patients were screened for HBsAg and Anti-HCV using immunochromatography (ICT)method. Those who were weak positive by ICT were further confirmed by ELISA. Results: Total913 patients were admitted in Surgical Department during study period for elective operations andwere screened for HBsAg and Anti-HCV. Out of these, 572 (62.65%) were male and 341 (37.34%)were female. Mean age of these patients was 40 years. After screening, 33 (3.61%) patients werefound HBsAg positive and 117 (12.8%) were Anti-HCV positive, while 9 (0.98%) were positive forboth. Hepatitis-B was found in 21 (2.3%) males and 12 (1.3%) females, and Hepatitis-C was foundin 68 (7.44%) males and 49 (5.36%) female patients. Parenteral injections by quacks, previoussurgery, blood transfusion and shaving by barbers were found to be the risk factors. Conclusion: Ourmessage is: ‘Prevention is better than cure’. It is essential to prevent spread of Hepatitis B and C byscreening every patient before surgery and counselling the patients. The doctors and paramedicalstaff must follow proper ethical practice ensuring use of sterile disposables where indicated andprotecting patients and themselves from these viral infections.Keywords: Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, Screening, Surgical patients

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Published

2010-06-01

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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