eCommons@AKU

Title

The relationship between therapeutic injections and high prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Hafizabad, Pakistan

Authors

S P. Luby, Aga Khan University
K Qamruddin, Aga Khan University
A A. Shah, Aga Khan University
A Omair, Aga Khan University
O Pahsa, Aga Khan University
A J. Khan, Aga Khan University
J B. McCormick
F Hoodbhouy
S Fisher-Hoch

Document Type

Article

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and routes of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Hafizabad, Pakistan, we collected sera in 1993 from a geographically based random sample of residents, and in 1994 identified 15 HCV-infected individuals (cases) and 67 age and sex matched uninfected individuals (controls). Initially we approached 504 households, and collected serum from a randomly selected household member in 309 (64%). Twenty persons (6.5%) had anti-HCV antibody; 31% percent had hepatitis B core antibodies, and 4.3% had hepatitis B surface antigen. In the case-control study, persons who received more therapeutic injections (categorized as averaging 1, 2-4, 5-9 or > 10 injections per year in the previous 10 years) were more likely to be infected with HCV (odds ratio 0, 1.5, 2.5 and 6.9 respectively, P = 0.008) compared to persons averaging 0 injections per year. Efforts to limit therapeutic injections to only those that are medically indicated and that use sterile equipment are essential in order to prevent transmission of HCV.

Publication ( Name of Journal)

Epidemiology and Infection

Recommended Citation

Luby, S. P., Qamruddin, K., Shah, A. A., Omair, A., Pahsa, O., Khan, A. J., McCormick, J. B., Hoodbhouy, F., Fisher-Hoch, S. (1997). The relationship between therapeutic injections and high prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Hafizabad, Pakistan. Epidemiology and Infection, 119(3), 349-356.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_chs_chs/602