Fawad Khan|Haji Akbar|Muhammad Idrees|Hamza Khan|Khuram Shahzad|Mahmood Akhtar Kayani
The prevalence of HBV infection in the cohort of IDPs of war against terrorism in Malakand Division of Northern Pakistan
University of Malakand|University of Malakand|Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology|Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology|COMSATS University Islamabad|COMSATS University Islamabad
hepatitis b important public health problem pakistani population major cause chronic hepatitis cirrhosis fibrosis hepatocellular carcinoma high prevalence hbv infections observed especially areas low economic status spite effective immunization programs significant change observed epidemiology hbv rural areas pakistan 675 total population mainly due lack interest government authorities poor hygienic measures current study aimed estimating prevalence risk factors associated hbv infection within internally displaced persons idps due war terrorism malakand division northern pakistanblood samples 950 idps suspected hbv infection including males females collected processed commercial elisa kits hbsag anti hbs hbeag anti hbe antibodies samples positive elisa confirmed hbv dna realtime pcr analysisthe overall prevalence hbv observed 2105 785 males 215 females confirmed hbv patients belong malakand dir lower district highrisk infection found older subjects 2913 4660 years lower incidence 1197 observed children aged 15 years lack awareness socioecomic conditions sexual activities sharing razor blades syringes tattooing needles common risk factors hbv infection observed cohort patientsthe present study revealed first time high degree prevalence hbv infection rural areas northern pakistan noticed prevalence gender agedependent might due high exposures common risk factors avoid transmission hbv infection proper awareness possible risk factors extension immunization rural areas recommended