TRANSFUSION TRANSMITTED HEPATITIS- A STUDY AMONG BLOOD DONORS

BACKGROUND WHO has aimed the global elimination of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C by 2030. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the major causes of acute and chronic liver diseases and they usually spread via infected body fluids. Prevalence study of these two infections in the community is very important to tackle the spread of the disease. Large scale population-based studies are lacking. Blood donors are routinely screened for these infections. Even though the actual prevalence in the community is much higher than in donor population, the prevalence study of viral hepatitis in donor population gives an idea about the magnitude of the illness in the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study is a descriptive study based on retrospective collection of data from available records. The data was collected from the blood donor records and registers pertaining to the 10-year period from 2007 to 2016. Samples seroreactive for Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are recorded and analysed. RESULTS Seroreactivity of Hepatitis B and hepatitis C were recorded and estimated, and their annual and total prevalence and trends studied during the ten-year period. Among the transfusion transmitted infections, Hepatitis B is most prevalent. Total prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is 0.24% and 0.09% respectively. Year wise prevalence is variable. 81.4% of total transfusion transmitted infections are caused by hepatitis B and C. CONCLUSION Viral hepatitis is a common public health problem. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C is high even in healthy young people.