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FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS C IN PATIENTS COMING FOR SURGERY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr Qasim Qadeer, Dr Hira Tahir, Dr Ayesha Abrar

Objective: The aim of study was to find out the frequency and magnitude of hepatitis C infection in patients coming for surgery. Material and methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, in which all the patients coming for surgery in Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi from 28th June 2018 to 6th Nov, 2018 were included in the study. The excluded patients were those who did not need surgery. The study was based on ‘non-probability consecutive sampling technique’. All the patients coming for the surgery in different wards of Holy Family Hospital were included in the study, regardless of their sex, age and nature of their operation. Study tool was pre-designed, self-administered questionnaire. The findings were documented on compilation sheet and evaluated through application of statistical tools. Overall frequency was calculated and data was analyzed through SPSS-16. Results: In this study, sample size was 559 patients. 48 patients were HCV positive with the prevalence of 8.58%. Mean age of the patients was 41.50±16.9 years. Half 24(50%) of HCV positive patients had blood transfusion in their lives. Majority of the patients 25 (52.08%) had piercing of their body parts. Majority 29 (60.42%) patients underwent dental procedures in their life. Only 10 (20.8%) patients used intravenous narcotics while 38 (79.2%) patients did not use intravenous narcotics. Only 3 (6.2%) patients underwent hemodialysis during their life. None of the patients were incarcerated in their lives. Conclusion: It is of very much important to limit the spread of Hepatitis C by screening all the patients before surgery and to counsel the patients regarding the disease. It also motivates the use of sterile equipments for the patients and importance of following ethical practices by Doctors and paramedical staff regarding protection of patients from Hepatitis C. Keywords: Hepatitis C, Hemodialysis, Intravenous Drug, Surgery.

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