Seroprevalence of HCV Infection in the Residents of three Union Councils of Jamshoro District, Pakistan

Background: HCV infection is the leading cause of mortaility around the world particulary in Pakistan. Hepatistis can severly damage liver which ultimately leads to the death of patient. Number of reports around the world indicate the higher rate of prvelence of HCV infection, these rate are higehr in Asian and underdeveopled countries. We therefore have setu up crosssectional study to assess the HCV infection in the residents of three union councils of Jamshoro District.

Methodology: The study was conducted for the period of six months from january 2013 to june 2013. The data was obtained by structured interview based questionnaire comprised of questions about  transmission of risk factors and awareness of HCV. Serum was obtained by centrifuging the blood and HCV was detected using Elisa Kit.

Results: Total 662 subjects were randomly selected for the study, out of which 351 (53%) males and 311 (47%) were females. The over all prevalnce rate of HCV positive cases was  recorded as 128 (19.33%), Of these 128, 71(55.5%) were males  and 57(45.5%) were females. HCV infection was common in all age groups and overall the level of awareness was very low, and ven in lower in case of tranmission of HCV infection from one person to other person.

Conclusion: HCV is increasing day by day in the residents of targeted Union councils, and the residents are less aware about the prevention measures, practical steps are needed to aware them from causes of HCV.

Keywords: Prevalence, Awareness, Hepatitis C, Jamshoro.