Sociodemographic features associated with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in pregnant females: A tertiary care centre study from Malwa region of Punjab (North India).

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is high in state of Punjab, however very few studies have been done till date. We all know that pregnant females are a most important section of our community and are usually screened for HCV, HIV, and Hepatitis B at time of presentation. HCV is capable of causing chronic infections and having long-term implications on a person's health. Vertical transmission of HCV can be one of the major route of transmission of this virus to the neonate and there have been various sociodemographic factors like age, literacy, socioeconomic status, occupational status, associated with the disease causation and transmission. All pregnant females attending Obstetrics and gynecology department of our institute were included in study. All the sociodemographic characters and socioeconomic records were retrieved and analyzed. In our study also a lower socioeconomic status, illiteracy have been significantly associated with the HCV-positive group, thus emphasizing the role of education so as to impart education to the masses as regard to mode of transmission and its effects on the disease. Higher age of conceiving is also significant associated with the increased maternal risk. The more involvement of health care officials and even persons not related to health care set up is required who can educate masses so as to protect the community.