To Investigate The Prevalence Of The Hepatitis C Virus In Specific Targeted Groups, Such As Patients From Government And Private Hospitals, And High-Risk Groups Of The Healthy Population Of The Peshawar Division

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C in various public and private hospitals of Peshawar Division among different groups, a total of 1150 individuals were tested to assess the hospital-based prevalence of HCV, and out of these, 256 individuals produced positive results for Hepatitis-C virus infection. The current study revealed that the highest prevalence was estimated in Dialysis patients (48.21%), followed by General Aged Patients > 14 years (20.99%).  It was further observed that the least affected group was the Early Aged Patients ≤ 14 years (5.84%). Furthermore, the results of the estimated prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection in high-risk groups from the population in and around Peshawar revealed that the highest prevalence was estimated in patients having viral co-infections (42.85%) followed by drug abuses (20.81%), transport drivers (17.85%), prison inmates (13.79%), proximate and households contact cases (9.58%), beauty salons and barbers (8.57%) and blood transfusions (7.96%). It was also found that the least affected groups were health care provider staff and other health care workers (7.46%) and teachers' community (6.15%) while doctors/ dental surgeons were least affected (1.61%) among the high-risk groups.