Sero-epidemiology of HBV infection in Northern Sindh: A population based study

Study design: prospective observational study. place and duration of study: liver clinics,ghulam muhammad mahar medical college hospitals,sukkur & khairpur. from january 2008 to december 2011. methods: using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 7 northern districts of sindh (i-e sukkur,khairpur,ghotki,shikarpur,jacobabad,kandh-koat,& naushero feroz) attending liver clinics of ghulam muhammad mahar medical college hospitals sukkur & khairpur,for screening purpose were enrolled from january 2008 to december 2011. the subject's age ranged from 6 to 65 years. serum samples initially tested for hbsag by immune chromatographic method. the positive cases were confirmed by third generation of elisa for hbcab,hbsag. hepatitis delta antibody was checked in elisa positive cases. various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. results: the prevalence of hbsag and hbcab in northern sindh was 3.38% (95% ci 2.85;3.98). we found 8 cases of positive anti-hdv antibody. predictors of hbsag or hbcab in multivariate analysis were age,marital status and addiction. conclusion: the rate of hbv infection in northern sindh was higher than other parts of province and country. approximately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to hbv and 3% were hbsag carriers. parenteral injections abuse,intra familial and addiction were major routes of hbv transmission in this part of province.