SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C AND HIV IN BLOOD DONORS OF PESHAWAR

Background: Alarming seropositivity rates for Hepatitis B & C are reported for Asia. These diseases are of highest public health concern along with HIV. Transfusion of contaminated blood is an important cause of spread of hepatitis B & C in this region. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV among healthy blood donors bank and to determine whether the trend of seropositivity is on the decline as indicated by previous studies. Material & Methods: This descriptive study is an analysis of database at Fatimid Foundation Blood Bank, Peshawar from years 2005 to 2008. Random sampling was employed whereby approximately 1000 subjects per year, irrespective of gender, were taken into consideration. The blood was screened at the Foundation's own testing facility. Results: A total of 3915 donors were selected. Seroprevalence of hepatitis C was 0.89% (35) while that of Hepatitis B was 2.07% (81). No case of HIV was detected. Conclusion: Mass screening programs such as one in this study are useful in identification of seropositive blood donors for hapatitis B, C and HIV and subsequent selection of healthy blood donors.