Screening of Viral Hepatitis B and C in adult patients visiting Dental Out Patient Department of Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis is a liver inflammation, most often caused by viral infection. Among these viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections account for a large proportion of liver diseases around the world. HBV and HCV are the main etiological factors of chronic liver disease, which include hepatocyte carcinoma and cirrhosis.  Objectives: This study aimed to determine the Frequency of HBV and HCV in adult patients visiting the Dental Out Patient Department at Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan. Method: This cross-sectional survey was carried out at Mardan Medical Complex (Dental Department), Mardan from February to June 2021. A total of 300 patients of age > 18 years, visited MMC for seeking various dental treatments and dental surgeries. All the patients were tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus infections. The immunuchromatoghraphy technique (ICT) was used to determine the frequency of HBsAg and Anti-HCV in the blood samples of the patients. Observed information was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20. Result: A total of 300 patients were examined, who meet the inclusion criteria (18-55 years of Age). Out of a total of 300 patients, 133(44.4%) were observed positive for HBV and HCV infections collectively. After screening, 68(22.7%) were detected positive for HBsAg, while the ratio of HCV-positive patients was found positive in 65 (21.7%) cases. The high ratio of HBsAg positivity was found in the age group 25-31year which is 23/93 (7.7%), while Anti-HCV positive ratio was high in the age group 32-38year with percent prevalence in 18/56(6.0%) individuals. The association between spouse patient history and HBsAg, anti-HCV was found significant where (p=0.001) and (P=0.001), respectively. Conclusion:  A high frequency of Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infections in Mardan was an alarming situation. The overall prevalence of HBV recorded in our study was higher than the prevalence of HCV. High prevalence of HBsAg positivity in the case of Spouse Patient History while in the case of Anti-HCV positivity high prevalence was observed in the case of Shaving by Self.