Frequency and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections in Children at a Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Clinic in Lahore, Pakistan

Sami

Open Access Maced J Med Sci

et al. 2021

AIM: To assess prevalence and risk factors of circumcision among Egyptian children and to assess the risk factors for HBV infection among them. METHODS: A nationwide community survey was carried out on 3306 children aged from 9 months to 16 years, of both genders. Data were collected during face to face interviews with the parents and children. All studied children had received HBV vaccination during infancy. Total anti-HBc and HBsAg were assessed by ELISA followed by HBV DNA detection for positive cases by Real-time PCR. RESULTS: Prevalence of circumcision was 92.3% among boys and 29.7% among girls. The percentage of circumcised girls was significantly higher in rural (38.1%) than urban (21.1%), P<0.01 and more in Upper (42.2%) and Lower Egypt (27.6%) compared to Cairo, the Capital (14.1%), P˂0.001. Boys showed significantly higher prevalence of circumcision in urban (94.1%) compared to rural areas (90.1%), P˂ 0.001.The prevalence of HBV breakthrough infection, detected by HBV-DNA, was 14/3306 (0.42%). No significant differences between circumcised and non-circumcised boys and girls regarding the different serological tests of HBV infection, P > 0.05. Using logistic regression analysis, mothers’ illiteracy or having primary and preparatory education carried six times and 2 times risk respectively of having their daughter circumcised compared to higher education, P < 0.01. Living in Upper or Lower Egypt carried three times and 1.5 times risk respectively of having circumcised girl compared to the Capital, P < 0.001. HBV infection among family was the independent risk factor for HBV infection among girls and boys, in addition to frequent medical injection among boys, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Circumcision among girls is still a problem especially in Upper Egypt and in rural areas. Child circumcision in Egypt seems not to play a role in HBV infection and intra-familial HBV transmission and frequent medical injection are the most important risk factors.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…On the contrary, studies in Nigeria [30], [31] [32] found a significant association between history of circumcision and HBV transmission among children. Moreover, circumcision performed by barbers in Pakistan [33] and Turkey [21] was associated with HBV infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Nationwide Community Survey of Prevalence of Circumcision among Egyptian Children and Risk of Hepatitis B Viral Infection

Sami

Open Access Maced J Med Sci

et al. 2021

J. Pure Appl. Microbiol.

“…7 Pediatric HCV prevalence in Pakistani Punjab has been reported as 1.88%. 21 This study represents the prevalence of HCV infection among children, different genotypes, and associated risk factors. Among 323 HCV-positive children, the male gender has a higher which is in (54.1%) in comparison to females (45.9%), which is in accordance with some previously reported studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, Genotypic Distribution and the associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Infection in Pakistan Pediatric Patients

Numan¹,

Jabbar²,

Zafar³

et al. 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important contributor to chronic morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The study’s objective was to determine the genotype distribution and risk factors associated with the transmission of HCV infections in pediatric patients. Rapid screening and confirmation by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to analyze 585 pediatric blood specimens hospitalized and visited the outpatient department of the largest tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Detection and genotyping of HCV RNA were performed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Demographic data and a history of risk factors were gathered through a survey questionnaire. HCV RNA was detected in 323 (72.4%) cases which showed viral load ranging from Log10 IU/mL < 3 to > 6 IU/mL. HCV genotype 3a was detected in 256 (79.3%) cases while type 3b and 1a was observed in 36 (11.1%) and 31 (9.6%) patients, respectively. HCV positivity was significantly associated with the cases from rural areas [p = 0.005; odds ratio (OR) 1.65; 95% CI 1.16-2.23] and also significantly associated with low-income group [p < 0.001; OR 5.75; 95% CI 3.90-8.40]. The primary risk factors associated with HCV transmission in children were family history (p = 0.002), blood transfusion (p = 0.03), surgical procedures (p = 0.02), and history of injections (p = 0.05). HCV genotype 3a is the most common genotype in children. The main risk factors for HCV transmission in children are blood transfusion, surgical procedures, and injection practices by informal health care providers.

“…Pediatric HCV prevalence was found to be 1.88% in Punjab, Pakistan. 220,221 In Pakistan, the most often detected subcategories of genotypes are 1a and 3a (genotype 3), with the greatest prevalence of genotype 3a. Untypable genotypes comprise the second-largest reading, followed by 1a, 1b, and 3b (genotypes 1 and 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C virus: Its prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution in Pakistan

et al. 2022

Hepatitis C is a dangerous liver disease transmitted by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV constitutes an important health issue in Pakistan. In Pakistani setting HCV is found frequently and is recognized as an alarming health problem. In this cross sectional study we reviewed published data regarding the seroprevalence of hepatitis C in general community, blood donors and pregnant females and risk factors linked with its occurrence in Pakistan. Data retrieved from163 studies published from 2001 to 2022 was utilized and weighted mean was calculated. Data of 1,875,232 individuals was collected and arranged into three groups, depending upon the population type such as (1) general population, (2) pregnant women, (3) blood donors. General population (765,426) and blood donors (973,260) formed the most of population. Mean Hepatitis C virus prevalence in general public and blood donors was 16.47% and 8.2% respectively. In pregnant females (136,546) the mean frequency was 9.3%. This study exhibits that the frequency of Hepatitis C in general population, pregnant females and blood donors groups was 11.32%. The data suggested that risks factors for transmitting HCV infection in Pakistan include unsterilized needle use, blood transfusions, shaving by barbers, lack of trained staff, needle stick injuries, injection drug users, household contacts/spousal transmission, unsterilized dental and surgical Instruments, improper disposal of hospital waste, poor infra-structure and others. The frequency of HCV infection is distressing in Pakistan. Health education and awareness programs are needed for decreasing Hepatitis C infection in Pakistan. The data necessitate the implementation of preventive and remedial approaches to decrease the disease load and mortality in Pakistan.