STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO FIND THE RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) A CASE STUDY IN TEHSIL BATKHELA KPK PAKISTAN

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the major risk factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and estimate the prevalence of the virus in Tehsil Batkhela. Data were collected through a questionnaire from 202 individuals in the area, encompassing both medical and personal information. Statistical analysis indicated that HCV occurrence is most strongly associated with age, sex, area, accidents, surgery, and street drug use. HCV was treated as a binary response variable, with "1" indicating an HCV-positive patient and "0" indicating an HCV-negative patient. Because the answer variable was categorical, a binary logistic regression model was applied. The predictors included age, sex, marital status, occupation, HBS, HAV, maternal HCV status, siblings, life partner, prevalence in the area, use of government water, accidents, diabetes, tattoos, surgery, circumcision by a doctor, street drug use, and shaving outside. The analysis identified age, sex, area, accidents, surgery, and street drug use as the most significant factors influencing HCV incidence.