Seroprevalence of HBV & HCV in General Population

Introduction: Hepatitis is an infection-induced liver inammation that is a major public health issue. Hepatitis is caused by viruses including HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV. The aim of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among patients, who had been treated for various diagnoses in different departments of a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India. Materials And Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional study conducted to study the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in the general population in the state of Maharashtra. The study period was of 18 months. Results: Atotal number of 12236 patients were included in this study. About 210 (1.71%) out of 12236 patients were sero-positive for HBsAg and 30 (0.24%) patients were sero-positive for HCV. About 112(53.33%) male and 98(46.66%) females were HBsAg positive. About 9(30%) male and 21(70%) female were HCV positive. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV was 1.71% and HCV was 0.24% in the general population of Maharashtra. This seroprevalence is low as compared to WHO estimates and previous reports from India. Males contributed to higher prevalence with HBV infection. Whereas the prevalence of HCV was more in females. Availability of sufcient recent estimates of HBVor HCVprevalence is necessary to evaluate control measures and health care planning.