Estimation of hepatitis C prevalence in the Punjab province of Pakistan: A retrospective study on general population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are amongst the leading public health concerns in Pakistan with a high disease burden. Despite the availability of effective antiviral treatments in the country the disease burden in general population has not lowered. This could be attributed to the asymptomatic nature of this infection that results in lack of diagnosis until the late symptomatic stage. To better estimate and map HCV infections in the country a population-based analysis is necessary for an effective control of the infection.

Methods

Serologic samples of ~66,000 participants from all major cities of the Punjab province were tested for anti-HCV antibodies. The antibody-based seroprevalence was associated with socio-demographic variables including geographical regi

SUBMITTER: Ahsan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6447227 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature