FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS C AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE UNIT AT BOLAN MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL QUETTA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The world wide prevalence of hepatitis C infection in pregnant women is estimated to be between 1 and 8% and in children between 0.05 and 5%. Hepatitis C virus is one of the major etiological agents of parentally acquired hepatitis. Objective of this study was to determine frequency of Hepatitis C among pregnant women attending antenatal care unit at BMCH Quetta. 
METHODS: This Cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta over a period of six months, from 9th August 2013 to 9th February 2014. 595 sample size was obtained. All patients were advised to have anti HCV antibodies by ELISA 3 (Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbant Assay). From positive anti HCV antibody patient, a detailed history was taken with special reference to search for presence of risk factors i.e. (blood transfusions, place of previous delivery, previous surgery, use of I/V medicines) and any family member with positive anti HCV positive antibody. 
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 26.1±4.5 years. The mean gestational age of the patients was 28.3±7.3 weeks. There were 41 (6.9%) patients had anti-HCV positive. There were 3 (7.3%) patients had history of previous blood transfusion, 4 (9.8%) patients had previous surgery, 3 (7.3%) patients had history of intravenous medicine used, 2 (4.9%) patients had child anti-HCV positive and 3 (7.3%) patients had any family member anti-HCV positive. 
CONCLUSION: It is concluded from this study that HCV is a common infection in pregnant women. Risk factors include blood transfusion, previous surgery and history of IV medicine used leads to transmission of infection. 
KEY WORDS: Hepatitis C, Pregnant women, Blood transfusion.