Hepatitis B and C: Frequency, Modes of Transmission and Risk Factors Along With Some Unorthodox Routes of Spread

Abstract

Background: Pakistan's being a country placed in intermediate endemicity zone of HBV and HCV, with rising population, there is lack scarcity of knowledge about transmission of risk factors specially unorthodox and frequency of this health challenge. Methods: A retrospective case control study where case records of all patients aged from 18 - 70 years from 2012 to 2017 with either gender diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B and C were included. Information about shave from barber-shop, sharing of toothbrush at home, tattooing, cautery, and ear piercing were collected. Information about unorthodox risks for transmission of HBV and HCV, like skin branding, cupping of blood, circumcision by the barber, sharing of tooth brushes and leech therapy was collected. Results: Among 1134 patients of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C (HCV), Age > 35 years, shave from barber and dental treatment were found to be risk factor for both HCV and HBV transmission. Amongst unorthodox risk factors like skin branding, cupping of blood, circumcision by the barber, sharing of tooth brushes and leech therapy, only cupping of blood (Hijama) was a significant risk for transmission of both HBV and HCV. Conclusion: Viral related chronic hepatitis is frequently reported problem in this part of the world where HCV supersedes HBV. Socieodemographic factor like age > 35 year, shave from barbers and dental treatment were risk factors for transmission of both HCV and HBV. Among orthodox routes of transmission blood cupping (hijama) has shown as a significant transmission risk for both HCV and HBV.