Qaiser Seher
The Health Foundation, S.I.T.E, Karachi.
J Pak Med Assoc. 2012 Feb;62(2):163-4.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 350 million people with chronic HBV infection and 170 million people with chronic HCV infection worldwide. Hepatitis B is estimated to result in 563, 000 deaths and hepatitis C in 366, 000 deaths annually. Given its large population (180 million) and intermediate to high rates of infection, Pakistan is among the worst afflicted nations. The reuse of syringes and needles was a major factor contributing towards increased HCV prevalence. It was reported that there are several small groups involved in recycling and repacking of used unsterilized syringes, which were available in various drug stores. It was difficult for the public to differentiate between new sterilized syringes and recycled unsterilized syringes In Pakistan, the number of estimated injections per person per year ranged from 8.2 to 13.6, which was the highest among developing countries, out of which 94.2% were unnecessary. In 2000, the WHO recommended that countries should implement strategies to change the behaviour of health care workers and patients in order to decrease the over-use of injections, to ensure the practice of sterile syringes and needles, and to properly destroy sharp waste after use.
世界卫生组织（WHO）估计，全球有3.5亿慢性乙肝病毒感染者和1.7亿慢性丙肝病毒感染者。据估计，乙肝每年导致56.3万人死亡，丙肝每年导致36.6万人死亡。鉴于其庞大的人口数量（1.8亿）以及中高感染率，巴基斯坦是受影响最严重的国家之一。注射器和针头的重复使用是导致丙肝患病率上升的一个主要因素。据报道，有几个小团体参与回收和重新包装用过的未消毒注射器，这些注射器在各个药店都有销售。在巴基斯坦，公众很难区分新的消毒注射器和回收的未消毒注射器。巴基斯坦人均每年注射次数估计在8.2至13.6次之间，这在发展中国家中是最高的，其中94.2%是不必要的。2000年，世界卫生组织建议各国应实施战略，改变医护人员和患者的行为，以减少注射的过度使用，确保使用无菌注射器和针头，并在使用后妥善销毁锐器废物。
