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Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major blood-borne infections that pose significant public health challenges, particularly in developing countries. Monitoring their prevalence and demographic associations is essential for improving infection control strategies and ensuring transfusion safety.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV and to evaluate their association with age and gender among clinically suspected patients in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Orthopedic and General Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January to December 2023. A total of 896 clinically suspected patients were included. Venous blood samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibodies, and HIV antibodies using immunochromatographic test (ICT) kits. Demographic data were collected through structured interviews and hospital records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0, and associations were assessed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Among the 896 patients, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV was 1.8%, 4.8%, and 0.1%, respectively. HCV infection was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.001) and age groups (p < 0.001), with the highest number of positive cases observed in the 21–30 years age group. No statistically significant association was found between HBV or HIV and either gender or age.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates a comparatively higher prevalence of HCV than HBV and HIV among clinically suspected patients in Bahawalpur. Although HBV and HIV prevalence were low, HCV remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young adults. Enhanced screening, prevention, and education strategies are essential to control the spread of these infections, particularly HCV, in the region.