Screening of adult dental patients visiting Khyber College of Dentistry,Peshawar for HBV and HCV infections and identifying the associated risk factors

Objective: to screen out adult patients for hbv and hcv infections visiting khyber college of dentistry peshawar (kcd) for different dental treatments and to identify the associated risk factors. method: this cross-sectional study was conducted at khyber college of dentistry,peshawar in the year 2013. a total of 1540 patients >15 years,visiting kcd for seeking different dental treatments were screened for hepatitis b & c. informed consent was taken before blood collection and filling of a structured questionnaire. blood samples were tested against hbsag and anti hcv by using ict that were further confirmed by elisa. the data was analyzed using epi info version 6. results: a total of 1540 patients were screened during the study. among these 36.4%(561) were males and 63.6%(979) were females. overall prevalence of hbv and hcv was 5.12%(79). on screening,2.14%(33) were found to be hbs ag positive of which 2.5%(14) were males and 1.9%(19) were females. hcv was found positive in 2.98%(46) individuals having male to female ratio of 1.6% and 3.8%. frequency of hbsag was high in age group 56-65 year and hcv in 36-45 year group. previous history of iv/im injections,spouse patient of hepatitis,blood transfusion,surgical operation were found significant risk factors in the transmission of both hepatitis b and c,while previous history of dental treatment and sharing of clippers were significant risk factor in spreading hepatitis c infection only. conclusions: overall prevalence of hcv was higher than hbv. previous history of injections,spouse patient of hepatitis,blood transfusion,surgical operation were found significant risk factors in the transmission of both hepatitis b and c. © 2017,professional medical publications. all rights reserved.