Sentinel Surveillance of HCV at Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases like chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of HCV infections is not uniform throughout India. Hence, the present study aimed to determine serological surveillance of HCV at tertiary care hospital in central India with a large population.
Material and Methods: Between March 2019 and September 2022, the study was conducted on 8832 screening of HCV infection at a tertiary care hospital, Indore Madhya Pradesh. All these underwent diagnosis of HCV by serological ELISA method. 
Results: Total 126 cases were found positive for HCV infection. The seroprevalence was calculated as 1.4% (126/8832). The maximum (45.2%) positivity was observed in the sexually active group 19-39 years followed (33.3%) by the 40- 59 years age group. Although males were slightly more preponderant than females with HCV infection, statistically non-significant observed among them.
Conclusion: The data of the current study will be helpful in taking prevention and control measures against HCV infection.

Keywords: HCV, chronic hepatitis, prevalence