Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic blood-borne disease and is more commonly associated with chronic active hepatitis leading to cirrhosis, hepato-cellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease.
Methodology: 160 consecutive screening positive (Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay positive) Hepatitis C samples were tested by HCV RNA Real Time-PCR for confirmation.
Result: Prevalence of confirmed hepatitis C among screening positive patient in the present study was found to be 24.4%. Vaccinated individual with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B had significant association with PCR positivity in screening positive Hepatitis C patient (p< 0.05). IV drug users and patient having multiple sex partners have significant association with PCR positivity among screening positive Hepatitis C patients (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Due to the lack of an effective vaccine and the increased risk of serious complications, it is important to focus on prevention and early detection of HCV.
Keywords: Hepatitis C; RT-PCR; vaccination.
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