FREQUENCY OF HBV SURFACE ANTIGEN AND ANTI- HCV IN HEALTHY VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS IN SWAT DISTRICT

Objective: To find out the seroprevalence of HBsAg and and HCV among the healthy voluntary blood donors in the District of Swat, N.W.F.P.Material and Methods: This cross sectional survey study was conducted at blood transfusion services unit, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif Swat. All voluntary healthy blood donors attending the above services from January 2003 to December 2005 were screened for HBsAg and and HCV by Aeon test device.Results: A total of 41613 persons were screened during this study period. Out of them, 1392 (3.34%) persons were found positive for either HBsAg or Anti HCV antibodies. Out of 41613 individuals, 464 (1.11 %) were positive for HBsAg and 938 (2.23%) were positive for anti HCV antibodies.Conclusions: Seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti HCV in healthy voluntary blood donors in Swat District is relatively low as compared to the prevalence in overall general population of Pakistan. All blood donors should be routinely screened and young healthy non-paid donors should be encouraged to donate blood for blood banks.