Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B among Healthy Blood Donors in Blood Banks of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HBV in healthy blood donors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Place of Duration: Prospective observational study. conducted by faculty of Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat, during 1st July 2008 to 30th March 2009. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 17 districts and four teaching hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Healthy blood donors who reported to blood banks were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The kits used were rapid immune-chromatographic Kits. All positive cases were counter checked by enzyme linked immune assay. The kits were provided by safe blood transfusion project ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa. Results: A total 60103 healthy blood samples were screened during a period of 9 months. Out of which 2.11°,4 (1287/60103) were found positive for HBV. The highest prevalence from District Head Quarter hospitals Daggar Buller was 10.45%, DI Khan eras 10.05 Karak 9.00 "),,o and Bannu 8.88 %. No case for HBV was found in the blood of donors from Lakki. Timergara and Haripur Districts. Conclusion: Hepatitis B is a public health problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa like rest of the country. Transmission through blood is most common, therefore, screening during blood donation to be strictly monitored. To prevent the spread of Hepatitis B, public awareness about spread by all other ways is need of the time.