Kashmiri refugees at the verge of hepatitis B and C epidemic in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Autores

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056003479

Palavras-chave:

Refugees, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Risk Factors, Seroepidemiologic Studies

Resumo

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among immigrants residing refugee camps in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and to identify possible risk factors for HBV and HCV transmission. METHODS: Around 1,225 individuals inhabiting Muzaffarabad refugee camps, participated in the study. A qualitative Immuno-Chromatographic Technique was used for initial screening and PCR test was used for detection of HBV and HCV in participants. The major risk factors for HBV and HCV transmission were assessed using a questionnaire approach. RESULTS: Around 86 (7.0%) individuals were observed for HBsAg presence, and 215 (17.5%) individuals were found positive for Anti-HCV. Only 32 (2.6%) individuals were confirmed for HBV DNA and 126 (10.3%) individuals were positive for HCV RNA after PCR. Demographically, both HBsAg and Anti-HCV were found more prevalent in female (4.4% HBsAg and 10.8% Anti-HCV) population as compared to male (2.6% HBsAg and 6.7% Anti-HCV) population. Surprisingly, the HBsAg (23.5%) and Anti-HCV (41.1%) appeared to be more frequent in the age group 62–75 years. Previous history of hepatitis in the family (p < 0.0001), blood transfusion (p = 0.0197) dental treatment (p < 0.0001) and tattooing or piercing on any part of the body (p = 0.0028) were assessed as significant risk factors in HBV and HCV transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of 7.0% HBsAg and 17.5% Anti-HCV in a small fragment of the migrant population cannot be overlooked. Lack of awareness among people and negligence of health department could escalate the situation.

Referências

Pardee M. Diagnosis and management of Hepatitis B and C. Nurs Clin North Am. 2019;54(2):277-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.02.004

Mysore KR, Leung DH. Hepatitis B and C. Clin Liver Dis. 2018;22(4):703-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cld.2018.06.002

Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, Aster JC, editors. Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease: professional edition e-book. 9. ed rev. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014. p. 822-3.

Lin CL, nKao JH. Review article: the prevention of hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;48(1):5-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14683

Abe SK, Inoue M, Sawada N, Iwasaki M, Shimazu T, Yamaji T, et. al; JPHC Study Group. Hepatitis B and C virus infection and risk of lymphoid malignancies: a population-based cohort study (JPHC Study). Cancer Epidemiol. 2015;39(4):562-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2015.06.002

Abe SK, Inoue M, Sawada N, Iwasaki M, Shimazu T, Yamaji T, et al. Hepatitis B and C virus infection and risk of pancreatic cancer: a population-based cohort study (JPHC Study Cohort II). Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2016;25(3):555-7. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-1115

Kalyuzhin OV, Ponezheva ZB, Semenova IV, Khokhlova ON, Serebrovskaya LV, Guseva TS, et al. [Lymphocyte subpopulations, levels of interferon, and expression of their receptors in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C: correlation with the species of viruses and the degree of liver fibrosis]. Ther Arkh. 2017;89(11):14-20. Russian.

Soi V, Daifi C, Yee J, Adams E. Pathophysiology and treatment of hepatitis B and C infections in patients with end-stage renal disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2019;26(1):41-50. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ackd.2018.10.004

Ariede JR, Pardini MIMC, Silva GF, Grotto RMT. Platelets can be a biological compartment for the Hepatitis C Virus. Braz J Microbiol. 2015;46(2):627-9. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1517-838246220140553

Calderón Sandubete E, Yang Lai R, Calero Bernal ML, Martínez Rísquez MT, Calderón Baturone M, Horra Padilla C. Hepatitis crónicas virales B y C en población inmigrante en España. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2014;88(6):811-8. https://doi.org/10.4321/s1135-57272014000600012

Ayele A, Abera D, Hailu M, Birhanu M, Desta K. Prevalence and associated risk factors for Hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:721. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08893-1

Sheikh MY, Mouanoutoua M, Walvick MD, Khang L, Singh J, Stoltz S, et al. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Hmong immigrants in the San Joaquin Valley. J Community Health. 2011;36(1):42-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-010-9283-0

Ackerman LK. Health problems of refugees. J Am Board Fam Pract. 1997;10(5):337-48. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.10.5.337

Roussos A, Goritsas C, Pappas T, Spanaki M, Papadaki P, Ferti A. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers among refugees in Athens. World J Gastroenterol. 2003;9(5):993-5. https://10.3748/wjg.v9.i5.993

Quddus A, Luby SP, Jamal Z, Jafar T. Prevalence of hepatitis B among Afghan refugees living in Balochistan, Pakistan. Int J Infect Dis. 2006;10(3):242-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2005.04.007

Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP; STROBE Initiative. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Int J Surg. 2014;12(12):1495-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.013

Rauf A, Nadeem MS, Arshad M, Riaz H, Latif MM, Iqbal M, et al. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus in the general population of Hill Surang area, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J Zool. 2013;45(2):543-8.

Chomczynski P, Mackey K. Short technical reports. Modification of the TRI reagent procedure for isolation of RNA from polysaccharide-and proteoglycan-rich sources. Biotechniques. 1995;19(6):942-5.

Casanova YS, Boeira TD, Sisti E, Celmer A, Fonseca ASK, Ikuta N, et al. A complete molecular biology assay for hepatitis C virus detection, quantification and genotyping. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2014;47(3):287-94. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0040-2014

Hadziyannis SJ, Giannoulis G, Hadziyannis E, Kaklamani E, Alexopoulou A, Dourakis S, et al. Hepatitis C virus infection in Greece and its role in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 1993;17 Suppl 3:S72-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8278(05)80428-3

Goritsas CP, Athanasiadou A, Arvaniti A, Lampropoulou-Karatza C. The leading role of Hepatitis B and C viruses as risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case control study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1995;20(3):220-4. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-199504000-00012

Greenaway C, Ma AT, Kloda LA, Klein M, Cnossen S, Schwarzer G, et al. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in immigrants and refugees from intermediate and high endemic countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One. 2015;10(11):e0141715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141715

Ayele A, Abera D, Hailu M, Birhanu M, Desta K. Prevalence and associated risk factors for Hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:721. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08893-1

Shafiq M, Nadeem M, Sattar Z, Khan SM, Faheem SM, Ahsan I, et al. Identification of risk factors for hepatitis B and C in Peshawar, Pakistan. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2015;7:223-31. https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S67429

Haqqi A, Munir R, Khalid M, Khurram M, Zaid M, Ali M, et al. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus genotypes in Pakistan: current scenario and review of literature. Viral Immunol. 2019;32(9):402-13. https://doi.org/10.1089/vim.2019.0058

Publicado

2022-04-28

Edição

Seção

Artigos Originais

Como Citar

Kazmi, S. A., Rauf, A., Shafique, F., Asim, N., Shafi, N. ., & Hassan, M. ul. (2022). Kashmiri refugees at the verge of hepatitis B and C epidemic in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Revista De Saúde Pública, 56, 33. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056003479