Assessment of risk factors associated with sociodemographic status of hepatitis. A cross-sectional study from Pakistani population

Jaweria Ismail; Gohar Ayub; Fouzia Tanvir; Aqeela Nawaz; Saba Munir; Yasir Nawaz; Muhammad Laiq

doi:10.32593/jstmu/Vol7.Iss1.284

Jaweria Ismail Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
Gohar Ayub Department of Biological Sciences, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
Fouzia Tanvir Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
Aqeela Nawaz Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
Saba Munir Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
Yasir Nawaz Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
Muhammad Laiq Department of Statistics, Comsat University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32593/jstmu/Vol7.Iss1.284

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Risk factors, Pakpattan, Cross-sectional studies, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most urgent health concerns in Pakistan is the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection. Despite the availability of potent antiviral medications, the overall burden of the illness has not diminished, possibly due to the asymptomatic nature of the infection, leading to delayed diagnosis. This study was conducted to assess risk factors associated with the sociodemographic status of Hepatitis C disease in Pakistani patients.

Methodology: This study adopts a cross-sectional design, employing a questionnaire-based Performa to collect data from the Pakpattan district. This hospital-based, study was conducted in Pakpattan, the largest district in Punjab province, Pakistan, and collected data of 500 patients.

Results: The study reveals a higher frequency of male patients than females, with more individuals belonging to nuclear families than joint families. Unmarried individuals face greater risk than married multiple times, and more people reside in rural areas than urban areas. The average family size does not differ between cases and controls, and the prevalence of uneducated individuals is higher than educated individuals. Gender, family status, and residence exhibit non-significant results, age, marital status, family size, and education status show significant associations. The multivariate analysis indicates p-values below the significance threshold, reinforcing the reliability of the results.

Conclusion: Hepatitis C infections are more prevalent in males, and socioeconomic status significantly influences its distribution in both genders. Education emerges as a crucial factor in the spread of this disease. Establishing Hepatitis-related societies for awareness campaigns is essential to facilitate early detection and treatment.

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Author Biographies

Jaweria Ismail, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

MS Scholar

Gohar Ayub, Department of Biological Sciences, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

MS Scholar

Fouzia Tanvir, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

Assistant Professor

Aqeela Nawaz, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

Lecturer

Saba Munir, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

Lecturer

Yasir Nawaz, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

Lecturer

Muhammad Laiq, Department of Statistics, Comsat University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

MS Scholar

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