The number of hepatitis patients is increasing in Pakistan especially of hepatitis C.
According to the National hepatitis B and C seroprevalence survey carried out by the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) in 2008, the prevalence of hepatitis B was 2.5 percent and hepatitis C was 5 percent.
This prevalence was seen increased in the surveys carried out in 2018 and 2019 by the Punjab and Sindh governments respectively.
In Punjab, a hepatitis B and C survey was carried out a hepatitis B and C in 2018 in which hepatitis prevalence Ovals 2.2 percent and hepatitis C prevalence was 8.19%.
Whereas the Sindh government conducted a hepatitis B and C survey in 2019 showing hepatitis B prevalence as 1.05 percent and hepatitis C prevalence as 6.2 percent.
Possible Reasons of increased spread of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan
Following are the most significant reasons/risk factors for the rapid transmission of the disease;
- Unsafe blood transfusions
- Re-use of therapeutic injections and syringes
- Poor infection control practices at health care facilities (improper sterilized medical, surgical, and dental equipment)
- Sharing of razors and use of infected instruments by Barbers
- Tattooing and ear piercing.
