Pakistan Medical Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan.
East Mediterr Health J. 2010;16 Suppl:S15-23.
A prevalence survey on hepatitis B and C infections was carried out to obtain national estimates and assess epidemiological dynamics and underlying risk factors. Overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) of 2.5% and 4.8%, respectively, reflected a combined infection rate of 7.6% in the general population, consistent with an ongoing high burden of chronic liver disease (CLD). There was significant association of these viral infections with a range of risk factors led by reuse of syringes. These findings validate currently implemented strategies by the national programme for the control of hepatitis viral infections, including universal vaccination of newborns and high-risk groups, support of auto-disable syringes, promotion of infection control and patient safety, public health education, and management of needy CLD patients as a poverty-reduction health intervention.
进行了乙型肝炎和丙型肝炎感染的流行情况调查，以获得全国估计数并评估流行病学动态和潜在危险因素。乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）和抗丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）的总体流行率分别为 2.5%和 4.8%，反映了一般人群中合并感染率为 7.6%，与持续存在的慢性肝病（CLD）负担沉重相一致。这些病毒感染与一系列危险因素密切相关，其中主要因素是注射器的重复使用。这些发现验证了国家病毒性肝炎控制规划目前实施的策略，包括对新生儿和高危人群的普遍疫苗接种、支持自毁式注射器、促进感染控制和患者安全、公共卫生教育以及作为减贫健康干预措施管理有需要的 CLD 患者。
