Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and C In Newly Married Persons

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of study is to discover newly married persons infected with HBV and HCV they are received blood and or having dental manipulation in Najaf city and how to Prevent transmission of these diseases.

Methodology: Total of 200 newly married persons, 100 males and 100 females, with an age ranged between 15-40 years (mean age 21.9 ± 6.1 SD years). The study was conducted in central health laboratory in Al Najaf city. All recruited persons had their ages, sex and case histories recorded on an already prepared data sheet and subjected to virological tests of HBsAg and HCV Abs, also other tests like aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and total serum bilirubin. The data analyzed by using methods of descriptive statistics and inferential

Results: The patients with hepatitis B viral infection were 12 patients, two male and ten female. There were increased incidence of seropositive for HBsAg in patients who were female gender 10 (10%), younger than 25 years 7 (7%), history of dental manipulation 9 (22.5%) with personal history of jaundice 5 (19.2%), there were statistically significant (p= 0.01 ,0.01, 0.000 and 0.02 respectively). Also lab finding include raised transaminase 6 (60%), and raised total serum bilirubin 2 (50%) as compared in those with seronegative HBsAg, these differences were statistically significant (p=0.000, 0.000 and 0.000 respectively). The patients with hepatitis C viral infection were three patients, one male and two female. There were increased incidence of seropositive for HCV Abs in patients who had history of blood transfusion 2 (50%) there was statistically significant(p= 0.000 ). Also lab finding include raised transaminase 6 (60%) as compared in those with seronegative HBsAg, these differences were statistically significant (p=0.000 and 0.002 respectively).

Conclusions: The total of 200 newly married couple persons were enrolled in the study. The predictors for developing hepatitis B infection in this study that female, younger than 25 years old, with history of dental manipulation as dental polishing or dental extraction, blood transfusion and who had abnormal liver function tests. While the predictors for developing hepatitis C infection in this study that those who were asymptomatic patients with history of blood transfusion and raised transaminase enzymes.

Recommendation: The study recommend that all newly married peoples should be investigated for hepatitis B and C and if possible other transmissible viruses to diagnose them earlier and prevent transmission