Epidemiological Investigation of Hepatitis C in Educational Institutes of Quetta City, Pakistan Research Article
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Abstract
Globally, hepatitis C virus infection is a serious public health concern. About 157 million cases, with 71 million as chronic infections, as per a recent World Health Organization report. This study highlights the prevalence of HCV in various educational institutes in Quetta, Balochistan. A total of 400 samples were screened using the ICT kit, which were further confirmed by qPCR. The study encompassed diverse demographics, including gender, age groups, cultural backgrounds, and educational levels, offering critical insights into potential risk factors such as surgical history and blood transfusions of the subjects. Results revealed that among 400 serum samples collected from colleges in Quetta, 07/400 (1.75%) tested positive for HCV using ICT kits. Whereas, 5/400 (1.25%) were confirmed by qPCR. The majority of samples, 300 (75%) were from individuals aged 15-25 Years, with higher prevalence in females, 250/400 (63%), than males, 150/400 (37%). This study warns policymakers to initiate an awareness campaign in educational institutions to promote proper hygienic practices that will ultimately lead to minimize possible transmission risks.
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