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Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in a selected geographical area of northern India: a population based survey.
- Source :
-
Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology [Indian J Gastroenterol] 2012 Sep; Vol. 31 (5), pp. 232-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Oct 17. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background and Aim: Epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from India are scanty. We conducted a population-based seroepidemiologic survey to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C in Punjab state of northern India.<br />Methods: A house-to-house survey was conducted in a defined population of 26,273 subjects. Information was gathered according to a predesigned questionnaire with socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender and substance abuse), family history of HCV infection, general health status, associated co-infection, immunization history and potential risk factors for HCV transmission. At the time of clinical evaluation, blood was tested for anti-HCV and those found positive were tested for HCV RNA.<br />Results: Among 5,258 subjects screened, 272 were found to be anti-HCV positive (prevalence rate of 5.2 %); highest prevalence being noticed in 41-60 years age group. Anti-HCV positive rate were not different among males and females. Sixty-seven subjects (1.3 %) were found to be HBsAg positive; four of these being co-infected (5.9 %). Various risk factors for acquiring HCV infection identified were history of surgery, dental treatment and unprotected sex. Other associations were strong family history of HCV positivity, alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus.<br />Conclusion: Chronic HCV infection is a major health problem in Punjab; it appears to be more common than HBV infection. Exercising safe health care related procedures should be emphasized in our country as main modes of transmission of infection identified were related to these.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Age Distribution
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Hepatitis C transmission
Hepatitis C, Chronic diagnosis
Hepatitis C, Chronic epidemiology
Hepatitis C, Chronic transmission
Humans
India epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Population Surveillance
Prevalence
Risk Assessment
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sex Distribution
Survival Rate
Hepacivirus isolation & purification
Hepatitis C diagnosis
Hepatitis C epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0975-0711
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23073754
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-012-0251-8