Context:Acute   viral   hepatitis   (AVH)   is   a   major   public   health   problem   and   is   an important cause of morbidity and mortality.

Aim:To study the prevalence of viral Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C cases in patients attending IIMS &R,Lucknow,U.P.

Material&Method: Blood samples and clinical information was collected from cases of over a 6 month period (1^st January 2015 to 30^th June 2015)..Samples were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV total antibodies.

Statistical Analysis Used:Fisher’s exact test was used and a  P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: The prevalence rate was found to be 4.5% in HBV and 2.5% for HCV. Out of 1434 patients 66 were Hepatitis B positive and 35 were Hepatitis C virus. 57.6% of the patients of Hepatitis B and 31.4%of hepatitis C were males. On comparing both HBV and HCV positive viral infections, statistically significant values(p≤ 0.05) were found inmales. About three fourth(76.9%) of the patients of hepatitis B and 62.9% of HCV were found to be literate and belonged to lower and middle socio-economic status having poor hygiene. Statistically significant values  were  observed  in  low  socio-economic  status  (p≤.003) ,  literacy  level    (p≤  0.01) ,  serum  bilirubin  (p=0.005)  and  alkaline  phosphate (p=0.002)between Hepatitis B and C patients was observed. The result so fELISA test were 100% while for Rapid card  test  it  was  95%  only  

Conclusion: Preventive measures should include heal the ducation regarding parentral transmission of infections tringent blood banking laws need to be introduced and use of disposable syringes/needles should be mademandatory. Reuse of needles, shaving kits and razor blades should be discour aged. Universal immunization of all infants is desirable to decrease the carrier pool and it is inferred from the present study that Hepatitis Bimmunization should be ginat birth to have greater impact.

Keywords: Viral hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Enzyme linked immunoassay

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Dr Karuna Dubey

Department of Microbiology

Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Lucknow, India

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