Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the Healthy Volunteers: A Screening Campaign in Nowshera Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Hepatitis B viral infection (HBV) is a genuine worldwide general medical issue. The aim of this study was to find the epidemiology of HBV infection with common risk factors among the people of Nowshera Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A camp was conducted for HBV screening in Nowshera City (September 2018) in which 1180 volunteers participated. Blood (5ml) was taken from volunteers in medical camp and was transported to Aziz Biotech Medical Lab and Research Center Mardan, Pakistan. All the samples were initially screened for HBV surface antigen using ICT device kit (Accurate Diagnostics Canada). Positive samples were then subjected to Real time PCR to check active hepatitis B infection amongst positive ICT samples. Out of 1180 volunteers 58 (4.91%) were found positive including 22 (4.82%) females and 36 (4.97%) males. The ICT positive samples were than refined by real-time PCR for active hepatitis B virus out of that 26 (44.82%) were found active by PCR which comprises 8 (36.36%) females and 18 (50%) males. The HBsAg ratio was greater in the Age-limit 21-30 years (5.67%) and 41-50 years (5.20%). The Sero-prevalence of HBV infection is higher in Nowshera region. The prevalence ratio among males is greater than females and mostly infected females were married which shows that sexual interaction is the probable risk factor for HBV infection. The rural communities are illiterate and unaware of the causative agents, spreading and the consequences of HBV infection. Thus, to overcome the incidence of HBV infection, we must educate the ordinary citizens about Hepatitis B virus. Keywords: HBV Infections, Nowshera, Pakistan, Risk Factors