Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C virus antibodies among pre-surgery screened patients in Khartoum, Central Sudan

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are common causes of liver disease globally. The HBV is a major public health challenge due to its worldwide distribution, chronic persistence and complications. Its endemicity ranges from high (≥8%) to moderate (2-7%) and low (<2%) (Margolis et al., 1991; Maynard, 1989). The HCV was first identified in 1989 (Houghton, 2009). Infections with HCV are pandemic and the World Health *Corresponding author. E-mail: emad.ibrahim.osman@gmail.com. Fax: +249 155124004. Organization (WHO) estimates a world-wide prevalence of 3%, most of these cases occur in Africa (Madhava et al., 2002; WHO, 1999). Infection with HBV and HCV is primarily blood borne or parenterally transmitted. Routes of parenteral transmission include contaminated blood and blood products, needle sharing, reuse of contaminated razors by barbers, tattooing devices, haemo-dialysis, acupuncture needles and contaminated medical devices. Other modes of transmission include sexual promiscuity and vertical transmission in the early childhood (Alain et al., 2002; Henderson 2003; Levine et al., 1994; Ranger-Rogez et al., 2002; Stauber, 2000). In health care settings, occupational risk for trans