PREVALANCE OF HBV, HCV AND HIV IN PUNJAB: A CASE STUDY ON LAB FINDINGS OF PEOPLE DONATING ORGANS

Objective: The comparison of the Hepatitis B prevalence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C in a voluntary replacement and non-remunerated donors in Allied Hospital Faisalabad Blood Transfusion Services. The research was completed in the period of 14 months from January 2016 to February 2017. Setting: The setting of the research was the tertiary healthcare Blood transfusion service in the adjoining area of Punjab. Method: We enrolled 3430 blood donors; among these donors 3187 pints were replacement donors (92.9%) and 243 pints (7.1%) were voluntary non-remunerated. Both the groups were screened for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HIV1/2 antibody and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody with the help of an automated random access AXSYM that utilized the technology (MEIA). Results: HBsAg prevalence, HIV 1/2 antibody and HCV antibody in replacement donors (3187) was respectively observed as 2.51%, 0.25% and 5.14%. In the 243 voluntary non-remunerated donors of blood the same prevalence was observed as 0.82%, zero % and 2.46% respectively. Conclusion: HBsAg, HIV antibody and HCV antibody prevalence were less in the voluntary non-remunerated blood donors when compared with the donors of replacement. The major source of blood in Pakistan is replacement donors, we need to shift to the voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. The safe blood in Pakistan can be achieved through this way in the prevalent circumstances of Pakistan. Key Words: Hepatitis B, Blood donors, Hepatitis C and HIV.