A Study on Correlation between Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Liver Function Test and the Possible Factors Responsible for Hepatitis B among the Patients Attending Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is one of the major diseases of human and is a serious global public health problem. Although Nepal is low endemic for Hepatitis B it is responsible for significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Methods: The study was conducted among the patients attending Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital. Total 78 Hepatitis B surface antigen reactive sera and patients along with 54 liver function elevated (both icteric and non icteric) were studied to explore the facts. Results: It was found that 20% of Hepatitis B surface antigen reactive cases correlated with the liver function test indicating Hepatitis B virus a major threat of jaundice in or part. Amazingly of the total reactive case 14 % were found to have decreased albumin concentration a state of clinical emergency. Tracing the possible source of infection heterosexual activity was found most common (23%) but shockingly 6.4% of the patients were suspected to be transmitted from unhygienic surgical procedure during vasectomy and only few (8%) were found to have knowledge regarding Hepatitis B virus transmission and vaccination. Conclusions: Sterilization at any level of surgical practice and educational program is recommended to eventually stop the virus from transmission. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B surface antigen; infection; knowledge; liver function test; transmission.