Hepatitis Spread in Pakistan - A Research Article

Research

Hepatitis B and C prevalence among the high risk groups of Pakistani population. A cross sectional study

Abdul Rauf Memon, Kashif Shafique, Ashraf Memon, Agha Umer Draz, Mohammad Uzair Abdul Rauf and Salahuddin Afsar

• 
  
  

For all author emails, please log on.

Archives of Public Health 2012, 70:9 doi:10.1186/0778-7367-70-9
Published: 26 April 2012

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Hepatitis B and C cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Little is known about the existence of hepatitis B and C among high risk groups of thePakistani population. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in high risk groups, their comparison and the possible mode of acquisition by obtaining the history of exposure to known risk factors.

Methods

This cross sectional study was carried out in Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2008. HBsAg and Anti HCV screening was carried out in blood samples collected from four vulnerable or at risk groups which included Iinjecting drug users (IDUs), prisoners, security personnel and health care workers (HCWs). Demographic informations was recorded and the possible mode of acquisition was assessed by detailed interview. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using the STATA software.

Results

We screened 4202 subjects, of these, 681 individuals were reactive either with hepatitis B or C. One hundred and thirty three (3.17%) were hepatitis B reactive and 548 (13.0%) were diagnosed with hepatitis C. After adjusting for age, security personnel, prisoners and IV drug users were 5, 3 and 6 times more likely to be hepatitis B reactive respectively as compared to the health care workers. IDUs were 46 times more likely to be hepatitis C positive compared withto health care workers.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hepatitis B and C was considerably higher in IDUs, prisoners and security personnel compared to HCWs group. Hepatitis C is more prevalent than hepatitis B in all these risk groups. Prevalence of hepatitis C increased with the increase in age. Uses of unsterilized syringes, used syringes, body piercing and illicit sexual relations were found to be important associated risk factors for higher prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in these groups.

The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production. 

Courtesy: http://www.archpublichealth.com/content/70/1/9/abstract 

Facts of Unsafe Injection Syringes

 # Pakistan has the highest frequency of injections in the world that is over 90%.  

# Pakistani healthcare workers and patients confront misuse of syringes issue

# Medical practitioners use low quality, sub standard and recycled syringes

# Lack of awareness among manufacturers regarding proper packaging

# Lack of guaranteed sterile syringes in Pakistan

 # 80% of used syringes are discarded at open waste sites 

# According to a report published in daily Pakistan Today of February 27, 2012, Pakistan is a dumping ground of used plastics materials

# No proper destruction and decontamination of syringes are made in our country.

# Sweepers garbage pickers etc collect used syringes and recycle them to hospitals, medical stores or suppliers 

# Hepatitis C, HIV (AIDS) and other killer diseases

# Use of the recycled syringes has become major source of fast spreading hepatitis B and C and HIV (AIDS) diseases in the country. 

PLEASE DO NOT INVITE HEPATITIS AND OTHER DANGEROUS DISEASE AT THE COST OF LOW PRICED RECYCLED SYRINGES, USE ONLY QUALITY BRAND LIKE " SHIFA" 

People Behind Campaign

CEO and owner of M/S Syah Impex Mr. Syed Shafi Ahmed and the Managing Director and Head of Sales & Marketing Syed Omer Ahmed are behind the idea of putting their cause on social media network so the modern technology of online promotion i,e, the social media power would ignite the flow of a social and business cause they have initiated.

Syed Shafi Ahmed: CEO 

Syed Omer Ahmed: MD/ Head of Sales & Marketing

Through this campaign both of technology savvy entrepreneurs are confident to serve the nation through there cost effective but quality surgical disposable products like:

Latex free: Shifa syringes, single use, Auto Destruct syringes

Insulin syringes

Surgical gloves

I.V set (Blister pack) and

Urine bags

 

Unsafe Injection Practices in Pakistan

Pakistan is the top most country where usage of injections as medical aid is higher than any other country of the world and ultimately because of unsafe usage of recycled syringes there is higher ratio of hepatitis B , C and HIV diseases.

About campaign blog

This blog is all about Campaign for Safe Syringes launched by Syah Impex, Korangi Industrial Area Karachi Pakistan. 

 Syah Impex is a progressive and successful manufacturer and supplier company since 1993 that provides quality and affordable surgical disposable items including totally safe, single used, auto destruct injection syringes, I.V sets, urine bags and surgical gloves. 

In Pakistan unsafe, re used and recycled low standard injection syringes are main cause of Hepatitis B, C and HIV (AIDS) and other killer diseases among people. 

Through this blog we are trying to spread awareness and motivation to avert unsafe techniques and ways of injection by using purely hygienic, single used syringes and to follow the slogan that "Remember Shifa brand syringes and surgical disposables to avert hepatitis & HIV"