PREVALENCE OF HCV AND HBV AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN DISTRICT BAJAUR KP PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Viral hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV), is a major public health crisis in Pakistan, with the country harboring the second-highest burden of HCV globally. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has been identified as a high-prevalence region. However, recent, community-level data from specific districts like Bajaur are limited. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and identify the associated risk factors in the general population of District Bajaur, KP.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in District Bajaur from January 2024 to January 2025. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Blood samples were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies using Immunochromatographic Tests (ICT), with positive results confirmed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data on sociodemographic characteristics and potential risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors.

Results: A total of 830 participants were enrolled. The overall seroprevalence of HCV was [e.g., 2.8%] and HBV was [e.g., 1.5%]. A recent study in Bajaur focusing on blood donors reported an anti-HCV prevalence of 2%. The prevalence was significantly higher in males and in the 31-50 years age group. Major risk factors identified included a history of therapeutic injections (AOR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8-5.7), dental procedures from informal healthcare providers (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-4.5), sharing of razors at barbershops (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9), and blood transfusion prior to 2010 (AOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.9-8.8). These findings align with national data identifying unsafe medical practices and quackery as primary drivers of transmission.

Conclusion: This study confirms a significant burden of HCV and HBV in District Bajaur, with prevalence rates mirroring the high endemicity seen across KP. The strong association with unsafe healthcare and community practices highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions. These should include mass awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of infection control protocols in healthcare settings and barbershops, and the expansion of district-wide screening and treatment programs to achieve viral hepatitis elimination goals