Hepatitis C Status in Karachi, Pakistan, a Five-Year Survey at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus is associated with Hepatitis C which can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C is usually short term illness that can lead to chronic infection, while chronic hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even death. The mode of transmission is mainly parenteral and vertical. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a serious public health problem, worldwide as well as in Pakistan. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C so the only way to prevent hepatitis C is by changing behaviors which can spread the disease. Pakistan is also facing a huge burden of this disease. In Pakistan, the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection ranges from 8% - 15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. The general method of detecting infection with HCV is to observe the presence of antibodies to the virus. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis C among general population and to see the increasing frequency in our part. Selection of Patients: All patients visiting outpatient clinics, Hepatitis clinic and indoor patients at Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were screened for anti HCV. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the patients in Red Topped vaccutainers and allowed to clot, then centrifuged and serum was screened for anti HCV by Immunochromatography (ICT) method. Results: A total of 156,990 patients were screened for anti-HCV, 23,511 (14.98%) patients were reported positive. During the year 2010, total 11,058 patients were screened for anti HCV, 1791 (16%) were positive, while in the year 2011 total 26,921 were screened and 3908 (14.5%) were positive, during the year 2012, total 23,321 were screened, 3036 (14%) were positive, in the year 2013 we screened total 40,483 patients 6070 (15%) were positive, while in 2014, total 55,484 patients were screened and 8584 were positive (15.5%). The most affected age group is between 21 - 40 years and males are affected more than females. Conclusion: Hepatitis C in increasing in our population affecting the young generation between the age of 21 - 40 years and male population is affected more than females so a mass screening is needed to know the exact position of the disease as well as awareness programs should be started using media.