Nearly 8.5 million people in Bangladesh are currently carrying hepatitis B virus, reveals a study conducted by Hepatology Society, an organisation of doctors of Dhaka.
It was revealed at a seminar titled ‘Previous and current prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections in Bangladesh and recommendations for its elimination’ at CIRDAP in the city. Hepatology Society organised the seminar ahead of World Hepatitis Day.
Hepatitis is a life threatening liver infection caused by hepatitis virus A, B and C. Out of 325 million people infected with hepatitis virus globally, 90 per cent are unaware of it, according to the study.
The study, based on a survey on 2,782 people between December 2015 and January 2017 in Dhaka City Corporation and in four districts and four of the country’s biggest divisions, was conducted by Shahinul Alam, an associate professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital.
Among the respondents, 1,694 were men and 1,088 women.
The survey shows 5.1 per cent of the respondents were infected with hepatitis B virus and it was higher among youths in the 18-30 age bracket, among whom the prevalence was 6.3 per cent.
Five in every 100 adults are carrying HBV, the study shows, while it is more dominant among male as almost 5.7 million male carry hepatitis B viruses.
In most of the cases, the B type virus transmitted through contact of mother’s blood to the children. That is why 1.8 million mothers in Bangladesh need treatment, said the speaker.
World Hepatitis Day will be observed on 28 July. The theme of the day this year is 'Eliminate Hepatitis' and the slogan is 'Find the Missing Millions, Get Tested'.
The survey, however, showed 0.2 per cent of the people had hepatitis C infection.
The society introduced a list of recommendations to combat hepatitis B which is a public health concern in recent years.
The speaker urged Bangladesh government to create facilities to diagnose hepatitis viruses free of cost.
The recommendations also include proposals of free treatments for women with reproductive capacity, children and infants.
The seminar was chaired by the chairman of Hepatology Society, Mobin Khan.