Title: Wrath of Hepatitis C in Jammu: A Hospital Based Population Study

Authors: Dr Shashi S Sharma, Dr Konika Razdan, Ajay Kumar, Suboor Ahmad Naik, Dr Gurmeet Kaur

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.112

Abstract

Background and Objective: Currently, India harbors an anticipated 10-15 million chronic carriers of HCV whereas reported prevalence rates vary broadly from 0.09% to 2.02% (Mukhopadhyaya, 2008). Although various studies for seroprevalance are there but still a paucity of data from large multi-centric studies in India remains. The main aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalance of HCV in the district of Jammu (J&K); as very scarce data regarding the prevalence of HCV in the state of J&K is present.

Methodology: The present study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2016 amongst the patients attending various departments of GMC, Jammu and were referred by them to Viral Research and Diagnostic Lab., Deptt. of Microbiology for anti-Hepatitis C Virus ELISA. The serum was separated for the qualitative detection of HCV antibody by ELISA.

Results: During this study a seroprevalence of 1.158% was determined. Among 235 positive samples 170 (72.34%) were males and 65 (27.65%) were females with an overall seropositivity of 0.83% and 0.32% indicating a male preporederance. The maximum number of HCV positive patients were in the age group of 41-60 (53.24) followed by 18-40 years (31.01%) and 61-80 years (15.74%) and above 80 years none was reported. Among the samples screened 755 (3.72%) were from HIV care and 6 among which was found to be positive (0.79%).

Conclusion: Control of HCV infection requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates primary prevention of transmission through enhanced infection control and injection safety in healthcare settings and in the community, universal screening of blood and blood products, harm reduction programs, and increased public awareness about risk factors for HCV infection.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Shashi S Sharma, Professor

PI and Nodal Officer, Dept. of Microbiology, GMC Jammu, India

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