Prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood donors in Kosovo

Hepatitis is disease of the liver caused by the infectious and non-infectious agents. The aim of study was to analyze the prevalence of HBV and HCV among voluntary blood donors in Kosovo, during 2000–2003. The data from National Center for Blood Transfusion of Kosovo were collected and analyzed through descriptive and comparative epidemiological method of retrospective study. All samples were tested by ELISA test. Out of 70348 samples of the blood donors, 3145 were positive. From overall positive samples, 2939 were HBV positive, 192 HCV positive while 14 samples were positive for both viruses. The HBV prevalence among the blood donors of Kosovo is 4.2%, which range Kosovo to the second zone according to the CDC classification of the geographical spread of the HBV infection. The HCV prevalence among the blood donors in Kosovo is 0.3%. Compared to the other European countries this level of prevalence is relatively low. Age group 30–39 years old was presented with 34.8% of cases. The higher number was among the workers, 842 or 26.8%. Based on the results we can conclude that Kosovo have the similar prevalence for HBV and HCV infections as other South East European countries.


Introduction
Hepatitis is term to describe a nonspecific liver inflammation [1][2][3][4][5]. Until now are known 8 types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and TT. Hepatitis B and C are similar types of liver infection, which are mostly spread through blood and blood products.
Hepatitis B virus is an AND virus from hepadnaviridae family. Hepatitis C virus is an ARN virus with lipid coat similar to flaviviridae family.
Researches show as that world prevalence of HBsAg carriers is from 0.1% till 20% with high percentage in tropical countries [5,12].
The prevalence of anti HCV antibody is variety in different world countries with high number reported for Egypt.

Aim of study
The aim of a study was to analyze the prevalence of the HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies in Kosovo during the period 2000-2003. The possible influence of the various factors on the prevalence was analyzed too. The prevalence was compared with the data available on European and World level.

Material and methodology
Data from databank of the voluntary blood donors of the National Blood Bank in Pristina, as well the data from the databank of the Transfusion Centers in regional Hospitals in Peja, Gjakova, Prizren and Gjilan were used in this study. The analyzed period was from 2000 -2003.
The method of study was descriptive and comparative in retrospective aspect.
The T -test and Χ 2 -test were used to analyze the significance of the results.
All samples were tested by ELISA test.

Results
The results of the study showed that from 70348 samples The most of infected persons with HBV and HCV belongs to age group from 20-29 years and from 30-39 years.
Higher number is registered in age group from 30-39 years with value of 34.8%, whereas age group from 20-29 years is represented with 33.3%. The less value is shown in age group over 50 year with 4.9%. The average of infected persons is 32.2 year with SD 9.4 (Table 2) The blood donors which samples were analyzed belong to different occupations. However, the highest number, 842 (26.8%) were workers, followed by pupils with 7.3%. The lowest number was among traders, 3.1%, (Figure 3).
According to CDC estimation about 3.9 million people worldwide are infected with HCV, with highest prevalence among age group 30-39 year and about 8000-10 000 death/year from lives disease caused from HCV infection, (CDC, 1998).
The prevalence of HCV in world level can be more than 3%, [1,[24][25][26][27]. The HBV prevalence among the blood donors of Kosovo is 4.2%, which range Kosovo to the second zone according to the CDC classification of the geographical spread of the HBV infection.
According to the study done in 1992 among blood donors in Kosovo, the prevalence of HBV was 12, 05%, [21]. We can conclude that after the adequate preventives measures in this period, the prevalence of HBV is decreased significantly.
The prevalence of HBV in dialyses patients in Kosovo is 24.2%, [28]. We think that such highest prevalence is caused because of continually percutane blood exposure.
The HCV prevalence among the blood donors in Kosovo is 0.3%. Compared to the other European countries this level of prevalence is relatively low.
We can conclude that lower prevalence of HCV in Kosovo is because here are not a lot of people living in high-risk groups for infection with HCV.
The prevalence of HCV among dialyses patients in Kosovo is 38.8%, [28]. This finding can confirm the meaning that long exposure to blood and blood products is with high risk for infection with HCV.
Age group 30-39 years old was presented with 34.8% of cases. The higher number was among the workers, 842 or 26.8%.

Conclusion
• Prevalence of HBV among blood donors in Kosovo is 4.2%.
• Prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Kosovo is 0.3%.

Proposition of measures
• To ensure health education activities among population regarding those infections, • To effort programs and projects which mean the activities with risk group population insisting of them to use condoms and another protection measures during sexual activities and professional care.
• To find sources for completing the lab with best tests such are RIBA and PCR.