Screening and Risk Assessment of Hepatitis B and C Among Medical Students and Non-teaching Staff of Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore

TL;DR

This study screened medical students and staff for hepatitis B and C, finding no cases of hepatitis B and four cases of hepatitis C.

Contribution

The study provides updated prevalence data and risk assessment for hepatitis B and C in a specific institutional population.

Findings

None of the participants tested positive for hepatitis B.

Four participants tested positive for hepatitis C.

Approximately 13% of participants had a history of injecting drug use.

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to screen and assess the risk of hepatitis B and C among medical students and non-teaching staff at Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Lahore.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a screening camp using non-probability convenience sampling from September 7 to October 31, 2023. A total of 385 participants provided informed consent for both hepatitis screening and completing a modified form of the Hepatitis Risk Assessment Tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Participants included medical students and non-teaching staff, regardless of comorbidities, who were not previously diagnosed with hepatitis B or C. Screening for hepatitis B and C was conducted using self-financed kits.

Results

Among the 385 participants, none tested positive for hepatitis B, while four participants tested positive for hepatitis C. The mean age of participants was 23.98 ± 6.686 years. Risk factor analysis revealed that 11 (3%) participants had a history of blood transfusion, and three (0.8%) reported prior dialysis. A total of 123 (32%) participants had undergone liver function tests (LFTs), with 34 (8.8%) showing abnormal results. Additionally, 216 participants had not received hepatitis B vaccination, and only 98 had completed the vaccination schedule. Furthermore, 51 (13%) participants had a history of injecting drugs.

Conclusion

Approximately half of the participants were vaccinated against hepatitis B, and a minimal proportion had elevated risks for hepatitis B and C. None tested positive for hepatitis B, and a small number were positive for hepatitis C, suggesting a differing prevalence of the two infections. Hepatitis screening should be routinely conducted in educational institutions, particularly for individuals with significant risk factors.

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