Prevalence rate of Hepatitis C virus among B- Thalassemia major patients in Misan, Iraq

Most cases of hepatitis C virus infection occur as result of exposed to blood by unsafe practices of injection, transfusions of blood without screen, injection drug use, and unsafe sex that may be lead to blood exposure. Many countries around the world are working to increase access to appropriate hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment for patients with transfusion-dependent hemoglobin disorders including thalassemia. To achieve the main objective of this study, data and information was collected about infection with hepatitis C virus and the ages and genders of thalassemia patients in Misan city, where a sample of (663) thalassemia patients was relied upon. It was found that (72) of them were infected with hepatitis C virus, with percentage (10.86%), the high percentage was (37.25%) in age group of (30 - 34) years, and the low percentage was (0%) in age group of 4 yrs and less. It was also found that hepatitis C virus rate in male thalassemic patients was (11.14%). the high rate was (32.26%) in age group 30 - 34 years, and the low rate was (0%) in the age group 4 years and less, while the rate of hepatitis C virus in female thalassemia patients was (10.51%), and the highest rate was (45%) in the age group 30 to 34 years, and the lowest rate was (0%) in the age group 4 years and less.