Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Internally Displaced Persons in Northern Pakistan
Author Information
Author(s): Khan Fawad, Akbar Haji, Idrees Muhammad, Khan Hayat, Shahzad Khuram, Kayani Mahmood A
Primary Institution: Department of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Pakistan
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and what are the risk factors associated with HBV infection among internally displaced persons in Malakand Division?
Conclusion
The study found a high prevalence of HBV infection among IDPs in Northern Pakistan, particularly among males and older individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- The overall prevalence of HBV was found to be 21.05%.
- 78.5% of the confirmed HBV cases were males.
- The highest prevalence was observed in the age group of 46-60 years at 29.13%.
- Common risk factors included sharing personal items and lack of awareness.
Takeaway
This study shows that many people in Northern Pakistan have Hepatitis B, especially older men, and it highlights the need for better awareness and vaccination.
Methodology
Blood samples from 950 IDPs were collected and tested for HBV using ELISA and confirmed with PCR.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the selection of participants from medical camps.
Limitations
The study may not represent all IDPs in Pakistan and is limited to a specific geographic area.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were males (78.5%) and the age distribution showed higher prevalence in older age groups.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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