DISTRIBUTION AND DETERMINANTS OF ACUTE HEPATITIS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Introduction: The burden of hepatitis A to E is still very high in Pakistan and currently prevention is the best way to address this issue. Availability of reliable epidemiological data is essential for an effective national response. Objective: This study is an effort to find the distribution and determinants of Acute Viral Hepatitis cases in Karachi, Pakistan. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Civil Hospital Karachi. Sindh, Pakistan. Samples of 312 patients were recruited using random sampling technique, during nine months from Dec 2018 to Oct 2019. Data was collected by trained investigators through a standardized multiple-choice questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions and samples were also collected from suspects for ELISA testing. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.22. Results: The results showed that the maximum respondents lied between 25 & 40 years of age. Hepatitis-C was found in 24% of cases, Hepatitis-E in 10.9%, Hepatitis-B in 6.4% and Hepatitis- A in 6.4%. Almost 40% of the suspects shown a combination and highest number of combinations have been shown with Hepatitis-C. Common symptoms included abdominal discomfort, anorexia, feeling of fatigue and malaise. Almost 88% consumed un-boiled and untreated water for drinking. Sixty-one percent of patients used injections and 20.5% received infusions in past 6 months while 59% male patients visited barber shops in the last six months. Conclusion: Prevalence of all types of viral hepatitis is high, with HCV being predominantly frequent. Continued transmission of enteric viral hepatitis A and E can be attributed to contaminated drinking water. The risk factors for HBV and HCV include injections and contaminated barber-kits.