Author/Authors :
Abdulrahman Jamal, Shakir College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Abdulqader Naqid, Ibrahim College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Rasheed Hussein, Nawfal College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Yousif, Shivan Hassan College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Yousif, Shahad Ahmad College of Medicine - University of Duhok - Duhok - Iraq , Salam Hasso, Soleen College of Medicine - University of Duhok - Duhok - Iraq , Hazim, Teeba Mohammed College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Mustafa, Abdullah Saeed College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Taher, Parwar Ismaeel College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq , Bssam Jamal, Tamare College of Medicine - University of Zakho - Zakho - Iraq
Abstract :
Background: Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major global public health problems. Infection
with such viruses is commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of HBV and HCV in women in Zakho City, Kurdistan Region
of Iraq.
Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in Zakho City, Iraq between January 2019 and October 2019. A total of 2223 females
aged between 18 to 52 years old were included in this study. ELISA test was used to determine HBsAg, HBc IgG, and HCV antibodies
positivity. HCV positive samples were then confirmed by Xpert HCV quantification assay.
Results: Among the studied subjects, 12/2223 (0.54%) samples were positive for HBs Ag. All these 12 patients showed also positivity
for HBc IgG. Only 1/2223 (0.045%) sample was positive for HCV antibodies. The result of HCV-RT-PCR confirmed the positivity for this
patient.
Conclusions: The low prevalence rate of HBV and HCV infection among women in Zakho City was less than that reported in other
studies. Population-based study is needed to estimate the prevalence of infection.
Keywords :
Viral Hepatitis , HBV , HCV , ELISA , RT-PCR , Zakho
