EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS PREVALENCE AMONG JANITORIAL STAFF IN FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY (2025)

Abstract

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a public health problem, particularly to high-risk occupational populations. The purpose of the study was to establish the prevalence rate of the HCV infection and the factors that contribute to it in the area of janitorial employees in Faisalabad, Pakistan. In the year 2025, a structured questionnaire study was conducted on 170 janitorial employees of different government and non-governmental institutions in Faisalabad. The data gathered consisted of demographic factors, education level, previous blood transfusion, training on how to handle waste, and the diagnosis of HCV. Where laboratory data were available, these were checked. Data analysis was done by System Package for Social Scientists, version 26, and the chi-square test was used to determine any relationship between HCV infection and the estimated risk factors. There were more individuals who participated in the 18–44-year age bracket, where 86.5% of the respondents were married. They received a high-level education (50%) or no education (32.9 per cent). Of all the respondents, 37.1 percent had tested by using an anti-HCV antibody panel, whereas 45.9 percent were uncertain of the test they had taken. Formal training in waste collection was indicated by only 20 per cent. In general, HCV was diagnosed at the rate of 18.8 percent (n = 32) among participants. Chi-square revealed no significant relation between HCV status and both education level (2 = 4.698; df = 3; p = 0.195) and history of blood transfusion (2 = 0.074; df = 1, p = 0.786). Even though a calculating percentage of HCV-positive results were identified to be more in those with the lower level of education and people who have undergone the process of blood transfusion, it was not considered statistically significant. The paper emphasizes a high rate of janitorial personnel who are infected with HCV in Faisalabad. Although the results have shown no statistically significant relationships, it would be prudent to implement more health education, screening, and occupational training programs to reduce the risk of HCV in susceptible working persons.