Abstract

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS A IN MANSEHRA CITY DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF TAP WATER

*Dr. Samiyah Tasleem

Abstract

This paper covers the aspect of introduction of water borne diseases along with high focus on hepatitis A, its prevalence and causative agents. The incidences of water borne diseases increase when any disturbance occurs in water supply and its drainage system. Water supply through unprotected streams, ponds and some sort of lakes increases the prevalence of water borne disease hepatitis A and this situation is common in all developing countries. The water borne diseases include Diarrhea, Typhoid fever, Giardiasis, Shigellosis, Acute Gastroenteritis, Poliomyelitis, Amebiasis, Dracunculosis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, and Cholera. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminthes are causative microorganisms of water borne diseases. These diseases are not only result of drinking of contaminated water but also its prevalence is seen in swimming pools suggesting that use of contaminated water for other purposes than drinking can also cause food borne diseases. Hepatitis A, a communicable disease is transmitting rapidly from one to another. The purpose of this research study is to estimate the prevalence of water borne disease Hepatitis A, in Mansehra city due to consumption of tap water. So, this research may persuade the other researchers to take action to prevent this disease by identifying the causative agents and situations and making interventions accordingly. Interview based data collection system is used from houses and blood samples of cooperating members are collcted. Data from hospital labortary is also collected to analyze the prevalence of HAV. Proper questionnaires were prepared to conduct interview and collect data at interview spot along with blood sample. The report of this research shows that prevalence of hepatitis A is high at home level. Among hospitalized patients again hepatitis A has high prevalence. Most affected population is children less than 15 years old age group but limited data of children is collected due to their absence from home.

Keywords: Diarrhea, Typhoid fever, Giardiasis, Shigellosis and etc.