Investigation of the prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV in major Thalassemia patients in Zahedan

Major thalassemia patients due to the need for frequent and continuous blood transfusions ; they are exposed to blood-borne diseases, especially Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. which is one of the most important health problems in the world and Iran today. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in patients with major thalassemia in Zahedan city.

In this cross-sectional study, 816 patients with major thalassemia who had regular blood transfusions at Ali Asghar Hospital in Zahedan were investigated by census method. Demographic data And the results of Anti-HIV, HBs-Ag, HBs-Ab, Anti-HCV, Ferrittin and CBC blood tests have been reviewed. Spss26 software was used for data analysis.

The average number of referrals for transfusion was 25.71 ± 33.71. 501 people (94.9%) had sufficient response to the hepatitis B vaccine and only 27 people (5.1%) had HBs-Ab levels less than or equal to 10 IU/ml. In this study, using chi-square analysis, a significant relationship between the age group of 30 to 60 years and hepatitis C has been observed (P<0.000). However, no significant relationship between hepatitis B and HIV infection with gender and blood group variables has been observed.

HBsAg testing on donated blood and hepatitis B vaccination and the low prevalence of HIV among blood donors are directly related to the low prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV in major thalassemia patients. Considering that there is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C and HIV, careful screening of donated blood and the use of new laboratory methods and the use of high-sensitivity laboratory kits are necessary to reduce the transmission of HCV-Ag contamination for patients.