FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B AND C IN PATIENTS VISITING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL LAKKI

Objective: To find out the frequency of hepatitis B and C among the patients visiting out patient department. Methodology: A total of 1443 subjects were screened for HBs Ag and anti-HCV in this descriptive study conducted from 1" January 2008 to 31 December 2008 in out patient department (OPD) District Headquarter Hospital Lakki. Patients of either sex and more that 15 years of age were screened for both hepatitis B and C. Patients with evidence of hepatitis B or C in the past were excluded. The HBs Ag and Anti-HCV screening was performed through Immunochromatographic (ICT) method. All sera showing reactivity were then confirmed with Enzyme Linked Immumosorbent Assay (ELISA). The information of the patients was recorded on a proforma and analyzed. Results: The frequency of hepatitis B was found to be 175 (12.12%) with a male predominance of 138 (14.97%). Prevalence of hepatitis C was 58 (4.0%) with a male predominance 39 (4.22%), whereas in 5 (0.35%) cases both hepatitis B and C were present. Highest frequency of HBs Ag was detected in the settled area of the district while anti HCV was positive in high proportions in the frontier region (FR). Overall prevalence of hepatitis was more common in rural population than the urban population. Conclusion: Hepatitis B is more common than hepatitis C in District Lakki. The high frequency of hepatitis needs to launch a major public awareness program and preventive measures to prevent its further spread.