Determinants of Hepatitis C Among Patients of Low Socio Economic Status at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore

Abstract: Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)is strongly associated with use of contaminated blood products and injected syringes. Other modes of transmission include sexual activities, blood transfusion or from mother to child which have been increasingly recognized. Objective: To nd out the determinants of hepatitis C among patients of low socio economic status at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, Lahore. Methods: A Cross sectional Study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Data were collected through pre tested questionnaires about determinants of HCV. The study was conducted on 100 clinically diagnosed HCV diseased patients in 4 months by using non probability convenient sampling technique. Frequency test was derived to analyze the data in SPSS version 21.0. Results: Analysis of data showed that prevalence of blood transfusion was 59% for causing HCV. 65% of people were taking medication for other diseases, 69% used reused syringes, 57% individuals passed from dental treatments, 21% were those who was addicted for cough syrups, hookah, drugs etc while 20% were cigarette smokers. 63% were those who used to drink tap water. Co-infection was more common among females and in those who were married. Using public toilet was 67%, sharing toothbrush 3%, sharing utensils 88% and visit barber shop was 54%. Conclusions: According to current study reuse of syringes and inadequately sterilized surgical or dental tools were the most common routes of transmission. Uncommon rout of transmission of HCV like visiting barber shops. Keywords: Hepatitis C Virus, blood transfusion, socio economic status, infected syringes