Thesis Abstract

A total of 50 blood (30 pregnant and 20 HIV) samples were obtained from pregnant women and PLWHA attending clinic at UNTH Ituku-ozalla. Samples were screened for hepatitis c viral infection using the rapid one step hepatitis C virus test strip. Two (6.66%) pregnant women were positive and four (20%) HIV patients were positive for Hepatitis C, giving an overall prevalence rate of (26.7%). The infection was the same in male (3) and in female (3). Those aged 23-34 years recorded a higher prevalence of (20%) than those in the age group 19-23. This higher prevalence of hepatitis C suggests that pregnant women and PLWHA may be at risk of hepatitis due to hepatitis C virus. Therefore routine screening of pregnant women and PLWHA should be instituted for early diagnosis and management of cases.

Thesis Overview

1.1INTRODUCTION
Hepatitis C infection is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is one of several viruses that can cause hepatitis. ‘Hepatitis’ means inflammation of the liver(Ryan and Ray,2004).It is unrelated to the other common hepatitis viruses (for example, hepatitis A or hepatitis B). HCV is a member of thehepacivirus genus in the familyFlaviviridae. There are at least six distinctly different strains of the virus which have different genetic profiles (genotypes). In the U. S., genotype 1 is the most common form of HCV. Even within a single genotype there may be some variations (genotype 1a and 1b, for example). Genotyping is important to guide treatment because some viral genotype respond better to therapy than others (Wilkins et al. 2009).According to Hepatitis C NSW (2010), here are some of the things that can happen once the body contract hepatitis C.

The body may deal with hepatitis C of its own accord and you may never get sick.About 25% of all people who contract hepatitis C will clear the infection (although this happen less commonly in people with HIV). For a range of reasons, hepatitis C infection is eradicated.