ISSN No. 2079-8547 (Recognized by PMDC)
PREVALENCE OF HCV AMONG THE YOUNG MALE BLOOD DONORS OF PESHAWAR REGION OF KPK, PAKISTAN
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C, caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a contagious disease of the liver which infects more than
170 million people world-wide and around 16 million in Pakistan. HCV associated infection spreads mainly by bloodto-
blood contact. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of HCV infection
in Pakistan; however, no data is available on HCV infection from the KPK province of Pakistan. Therefore, the present
study focuses on the prevalence of HCV infection in the young male blood donor population of Peshawar region of
KPK, Pakistan.
Methods: A total of 356 blood samples were collected from blood donors (age range 17–25 years) at Hayatabad
medical complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Blood samples were screened for HCV positivity by Immunochromatographic
test (ICT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA).
Results: Out of 356 blood samples, the overall HCV prevalence was 20.8%. Among the HCV positive cases, the age
group with 25 years was more frequently infected with a prevalence of 26.3%.
Conclusions: The present study provides the preliminary information about high HCV prevalence among the young
male donor population in KPK province. This data may be helpful in formulating public health strategy for the prevention
of risk factors associated with spreading of the disease. Furthermore, we recommend that in public sector hospitals
and health care units ELISA should be preferred for anti-HCV detection over ICT.
Keywords: Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay, Hepatitis C virus, Immunochromatography, KPK, Pakistan