DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i08.054

Pages: 3264-3267

Hepatitis B and C viruses though distinct share a common mode of transmission, primarily through unscreened and contaminated blood and blood products due to contact or through transfusion. This study was undertaken in the blood bank of a tertiary care centre in north east India to estimate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C infections among blood donors in this region and also to see their changing trends in recent times. A three year study was carried out from 2012 to 2014 in which donor blood was tested for Hepatitis B Ag and Hepatitis C by ELISA and seroprevalence was calculated. A seroprevalence of 0.39% for Hepatitis B and 0.1% for Hepatitis C was noted which is much lower than most of the studies in India. While Hepatitis B showed a fluctuating trend, a rising trend was seen in Hepatitis C infections. Overall, male donors showed greater seropositivity than female donors. Also, a higher prevalence was noted among replacement donors as compared to voluntary blood donors. A higher prevalence was noted among replacement donors which was found to be statistically significant for Hepatitis B, thereby emphasising the fact that voluntary blood donation need to be encouraged by motivating our population as it is a much safer alternative than replacement donors.