National prevalence rate of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan and its risk factors

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this review was to reveal the prevalence rate of viral hepatitis in Pakistan and diverse risk factors that are associated with infections. The distribution of the genotype was also discussed. Subject Hepatitis is the inflammation of hepatic tissue. It has major health concerns to humanity, specifically in developing countries in Asia. Methods The portals PubMed, Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), PakMediNet, and ScienceDirect were searched for literature retrieval. The weighted average was calculated to show the national prevalence rate. Results The weighted averages of hepatitis B antigen, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and antibodies in non-blood donors were 1.98%, 7.44%, and 5.62%, respectively, while in blood donors, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence were 2.41% and 3.31%. Both showed different levels of association with other diseases, e.g., HBV showed the highest association with chronic liver disease (44.45%) and HCV in thalassemia (27.33%). Among high-risk groups, the highest rate of HCV was 68.3% in intravenous drug users (IDUs) and HBV in healthcare workers. Genotype 3 was more prevalent than genotypes 1 and 2. An increasing seropositivity was found in HCV during previous years, from 6.8% to 7.44%. Conclusions Punjab was the most infected region in Pakistan, along with the interior of Sindh and war-affected regions. Mass movement programs result in internally displaced persons (IDPs) in many temporary camps of Pakistan, which act as safe havens for the transfer of viruses. Barbers, blood transfusion, and IDUs are the most prevalent routes of transfer, along with new emerging factors, such as ear and nose piercings and IDPs.