Hepatitis C Infection and Genotypes in Injection Drug Users in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Author Information
Author(s): ur Rehman Latif, Ullah Ihasn, Ali Ijaz, Khan Imtiaz Ali, Iqbal Aqib, Khan Sanaullah, Khan Sher Hayat, Uz Zaman Khaleeq, ullah Khan Najib, Swati Zahoor Ahmed, Jahangiri Anila Tariq
Primary Institution: Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, KPK Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of active hepatitis C infection and HCV genotypes among injection drug users in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Conclusion
The study found that 24% of injection drug users in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are actively infected with hepatitis C, with genotypes 2a, 3a, 4, and 1a being prevalent.
Supporting Evidence
- 24% of the IDUs were actively infected with HCV.
- 31.5% of the IDUs had anti-HCV antibodies.
- Prevalent HCV genotypes included 2a, 3a, 4, and 1a.
- 95% of the IDUs had a history of needle sharing.
- The majority of IDUs were married and economically disadvantaged.
Takeaway
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, many people who use drugs with needles are getting sick from hepatitis C, and some types of the virus are not very common.
Methodology
The study examined 200 injection drug users using Immunochromatographic assays, RT-PCR, and Type-specific PCR to detect active HCV infection and genotypes.
Limitations
The study may not represent all injection drug users in Pakistan, and the sample was limited to specific districts.
Participant Demographics
Majority of IDUs were married, economically poor, with primary or middle school education.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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