Johaness, Bartazary  CUHAS/BM/1000335/T/16 <br/><br/>
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus and Associated Factors Among Children Attending Sickle Cell Clinic at Bugando Medical Centre Mwanza Tanzania. 

 - Mwanza, Tanzania:   Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] :     ©2019 
 - vii; 46 Pages  Includes References   
<br/><br/> Abstract: <br/><br/>Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) can cause life-long infection of the liver and over time it can cause fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death. Most people become infected by sharing needles, syringes and other equipment used to inject drugs although the incidence of transfusion-acquired infections has significantly decreased in recent years because of more effective blood donor screening techniques, the risk is still present to date especially in countries where the health related resources are limited. Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of blood born infections including HCV due to multiple blood transfusions. Despite being common in most of African countries the magnitude of HCV among children with SCD has not been thoroughly studied. <br/><br/>Objective: The study assessed the seroprevalence of HCV among children attending sickle cell clinic (SCD) at Bugando Medical Centre. <br/><br/>Methodology: This was the hospital based cross sectional study involving 200 children with SCD attending SCC at Bugando Medical Centre between June and August 2019. At least 3 mls whole blood was withdrawn to obtain plasma that was used for detection of HCV by using Blotech HCV rapid immunnochromatography. Data was analysed by using STATA version 13 computer software as per study objectives. <br/><br/>Results: The mean age of enrolled children was 99.3±46.9 months. None of the children was found to be HCV seropositive.<br/><br/>Conclusion: Despite high risk of HCV transmission among children with SCD none of the children was found to be HCV seropositive reflecting improvement in measures established to reduce HCV infection in this setting. Strict measures currently employed including upgrading quality of blood transfusion practice should be reinforced across the country. <br/> 
<br/><br/><label>Publisher. No.: </label> Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102:            P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: 	  Phone: +255 28 298 3384:   	Fax: +255 28 298 3386: 	  Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz:  	www.bugando.ac.tz 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Personal Names: </label>--Medical Laboratory Sciences --Microbiology & Immunology --Pediatrics and Child Health