Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Chronic Renal Failure Patients Pre – Dialysis Therapy in Hodiedah City, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant problem in hemodialysis patients, which poses difficulty in the management of the patients in the renal dialysis unit. Objective: This study aimed to detect and determine the prevalence of HCV in renal failure pre- dialysis patients (for the first time) in the renal dialysis center of Hodiedah city, Yemen. Methods: The demographic data of 278 renal failure patients collected retrospectively for a period of 4 years and eight months from January 2011 to September 2015. All patients screened for HCV antibodies using one-step cassette style anti-HCV device. The positive samples were confirmed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The demographic data of patients were recorded namely sex, age, education, residence and occupation. Results: Out of 278 patients, three cases (1.07%) were found having HCV infection. Out of the three positive patients, two cases (1.18%) were males and one case (0.92%) was female. Two cases of 132 patients (1.54%) were found in the 21- 40 age group and one case of 114 patients (0.88%) found in the 41- 60 age group. No prevalence was observed in the age group of < 20 years and > 60 years. HCV was detected in one case (0.79%) of 127 urban residence patients and in 2 cases (1.32%) of 151 rural residence patients. The prevalence of HCV was showed among non-educated subjects (two cases = 1.54%) and in educated subjects (one case = 0.68%). Out of 252 non-occupant patients, three cases (1.19%) were found to be positive HCV antibodies. No prevalence was observed in 26 occupant patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, pre dialysis screening for HCV was an effective strategy taken to ensure containment of hospital acquired infection (HAI) by isolation of patients in certain machine.