ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatitis is defined as an inflammatory liver disease. It’s mainly due to a viral infection, but other causes of hepatitis. are recorded due to autoimmune and secondary to drugs and toxin and alcohol.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of viral hepatitis B&C among patients attending gastro- intestinal center in Kirkuk city/ Iraq and benefits of their record.

Methods: A Retrospective study were done among 299 patients attending gastrointestinal center in Kirkuk city referred from primary health care center, blood banks and private clinics.

Medical questionnaire was prepared for each patient including: demographic information (age, gender address,) type of virus, risk factors, associated disease, family history, pattern of presentations, needs and benefits from treatment.

Results: The study results show that there is a statistical correlation between educational level among illiterate patients and viral hepatitis with p value=0.692. There is a significant relationship between pre- operative investigation as a diagnostic method declaring type of viral hepatitis with p value = 0.086. Cupping therapy is a significant cause of hepatitis with p value =0.715.pattern of record helps in assessment the demand of requested drugs according to clinical presentations.

Conclusions: viral hepatitis is an important cause of liver disease in patients consulting Kirkuk GIT center and this study declared different effective diagnostic methods used and revised risk factors and availability of treatment and whether it is cost effective or not in the city .

Keywords: Hepatitis, Gastro – intestinal center , Kirkuk, Assessment