Detection of Hepatitis C Infection by Oraquick Test Among Health Care Workers

Viral hepatitis is a global health problem affecting hundred millions of people worldwide and considered the main cause of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplantation in developing countries.

Hepatitis C is a chronic disease affecting approximately 130-170 million people worldwide. According to the world health organization, annually, more than 399,000 people die from hepatitis C-related liver diseases and 3-4 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus . Approximately 3% of the world's population is estimated to be infected with hepatitis C virus . Hepatitis C is found worldwide. World health organization documented that Eastern Mediterranean and European regions are the most affected regions, with the prevalence of 2.3% and 1.5% respectively. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in other world health organization regions varies from 0.5% to 1.0%. There are multiple strains ( genotypes) of the hepatitis C virus and their distribution varies by region. Available data indicate that infection with hepatitis C virus infection varies considerably by country and region and countries believed to have the highest rate of chronic hepatitis C virus infection are Egypt (15 %), Pakistan (4.8 %), and China (3.2 %). However, the true incidence of the disease is not well known in many countries, because acute infection is generally asymptomatic. The Egyptian Demographic Health Survey ( 2008), which was conducted on a large nationally representative sample, estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and hepatitis C virus nucleic acid, among the 15-59 years age group, to be 14.7 and 9.8% respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and hepatitis C virus nucleic acid, among the 15-59 years age group, to be 10 and 7 % respectively according to the Egyptian Health Issues Survey ( 2015).There was an overall significant reduction of 32 %and 29% in the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody and Hepatitis C virus nucleic acid-positive individuals, respectively, between the Egyptian Demographic Health Survey in 2008 and the the Egyptian Health Issues Survey in 2015. Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus. It is most commonly transmitted through injecting drug use through the sharing of injection equipment; the reuse or inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, especially syringes and needles in healthcare settings; and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products. hepatitis C virus can also be transmitted sexually and can be passed from an infected mother to her baby; however these modes of transmission are much less common, while it is not spread through breast milk, food, water or by casual contact such as hugging, kissing and sharing food or drinks with an infected person.