摘要
Hepatitis B ＆ C have been identified the most common diseases in Matyari, Khairpur and Shikarpur districts of Sind and district Mardan KPK, Pakistan. Down the road more than 7,000 individuals have been catered effectively in a number of screening and vaccination campaigns, supported by the disease specific awareness and periodic workshops by involving all stakeholders. Data collected over the period of last 4 years suggests moderate to high prevalence of hepatitis B ＆ C in these districts that accounts for 4-6% of all health complaints. Less income opportunities, out of pocket expenses （67% of total expenditure on health care） and illiteracy has dragged the importance of health care to the bottom line on their priority list. Unsafe blood transfusions soiled drinking water and poor sanitation has turned the situation worse. Social behaviors are complex in rural communities and being a male dominating society men are supposed to be the bread earner and almost all the decisions are made by them. Females are mostly involved in domestic works and not freely allowed to go out to the health facilities for their routine checkups and can＇t take active participation in immunization campaigns. Mothers have less awareness regarding first line prevention of their children through common health and hygiene measures whereas general false believes and insecurities about the effects of different vaccines and medicines for secondary prevention made the situation vulnerable. Farming is the main source of livelihood in rural communities and demands more work. Due to old and traditional agricultural approaches farmers have to work from dawn to dusk to earn their livelihood that causes less interest of villagers in community development activities including health care prevention and practices and expose them to the vicious circle of health and poverty.
