A Retrospective Hospital Based Study In Kathmandu to Assess the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B is a major public health issue in Nepal. Acute as well chronic Hepatitis B infection can lead to different hepatic manifestation ranging from acute liver failure, aplastic anemia and liver cirrhosis to liver cancer. Although, there is a presence of high burden of viral hepatitis in Nepal but little have been studied about it. So this study was aimed to obtain the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B among all the patients: outpatient as well as patient in different wards visiting a tertiary care hospital. MethodsThis was a retro prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in which the data was obtained from the university register. The data documents the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B. In this study we have assessed total of 240 samples all of which were processed at Microbiology and Pathology laboratory using commercially available kits. Data were cleaned manually and analyzed using SPSS vs. 20. ResultsOut of 240 samples assed, 158 were males and 82 females and we found a total viral hepatic burden of 4.19% (10 samples).The mean age group of our study was 47 years (9 years to 85 years). Out of HBsAg screened positive population, HBV was seen mostly in males (90%) whereas lesser in female (10%). ConclusionsViral hepatitis usually does not follow any seasonal pattern so emphasis must be given to pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis so that we can prevent people from casualties caused via viral hepatitis.

Evaluation of Five International HBV Treatment Guidelines: Recommendation for Resource-Limited Developing Countries Based on the National Study in Nepal

“…When the percentages between males and females among 300 samples were compared, 244 samples (81.3%) were male and 56 samples (18.7%) were female (male:female ratio, 4.4:1). This is similar to other studies from Nepal by Gupta et al, Shrestha et al and Bhatta et al reporting high male-to-female ratios of HBV infection (2.5:1, 3.2:1, 9.0:1, respectively) [ 17 – 19 ]. The high male-to-female ratios of HBV infection have also been reported in recent epidemiological studies in Ghana (2.2:1), China (1.5:1), and Pakistan (2.1:1) as well as retrospective data of 1982–1998 in the USA (1.8:1) [ 20 – 23 ].…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen (HBsAg) in Patients Visiting Teaching Hospital of Jumla, Nepal

“…10,13 In a study done in Kathmandu city of Nepal by Bhatta et al, showed the prevalence rate of 4.19% which was a little higher than our study. 14 In our study, only 506 (29.7%) males participated as compared to females 1198 (70.3%) which shows the deep root of illiteracy and lack of public awareness in the society. Males had a higher prevalence rate (4.34%) as compared to female participants (2.58%).…”

Hepatitis B Virus Burden in Jammu (J&K): A Maiden Study

“…A sero positivity of 1.10% and 0.58% was reported amongst the hospital attendees from Warudi in Nashik, (20) and Tumkuru, South India (21) . On the contrary, in a retro-prospective study conducted at a hospital in Nepal and a tertiary care hospital at North Western Nigeria seroprevelance of 4.19% (22) and 9.2% (23) has been reported. In another pivotal study conducted at a North Indian Hospital from 2005-2013 seroprevelance was found to range from 0.92% to 1.75% (24) indicative of consistent infection.…”

“…Similar to our study, a maximum seropositivity was reported in the age group of 41-60 (41.6%) years as compared to the younger age group from south India (21) also. In the neighbouring country of Nepal the highest prevalence (30%) of HBsAg was reported among the age group of 51-60 years (22) and depicted as the most susceptible group. In yet another study a maximum seroprevalence (53.63% and 50.0%) was reported in the age group of 30-40 and 40-50 respectively (39) .…”