Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus in Blood Donors of Kathua District (J & K)

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is a transfusion transmitted infection and leads to Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in about 10
to 20 percent of infected individuals. Aim: To find out the seroprevalence of HCV in Blood donors of Kathua district and
also see the trend of the HCV infection. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the number of HCV seroreactive donors over a
period of 6 years was done from the records. Results: In the present study, the seroprevalence of HCV in blood donors was
0.7% (n=57) and the number of HCV seroreactive donors has increased gradually from 3 in 2016 to 27 in 2021. Maximum
(73.68%) HCV seroreactive donors were in the age group of 18-30 years. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV infection
is increasing that too in the young population so for provision of safe blood, focus should be laid on the prevention of
HCV infection at the community level.