PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS C AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS: a population-based study in southern Brazil

Abstract

-Context -The hepatitis C is a severe public health problem worldwide because its consequences. Studies which aim at determining the prevalence of risk factors are really important to understand the problem. Objective -To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with some risk factors for the disease in a community, called Restinga, located in the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Method -This paper is based on a population-based cross-sectional study, with systematic sampling and proportional to the size of census tracts in which 3,391 adults answered a standardized questionnaire. Results -The prevalence of blood transfusion among the people who were interviewed was 14.98%, 60.83% of those had it before 1993. A total of 16.16% of the people had a tattoo, 7.23% wore a piercing, 1.09% said they had already injected illicit drugs and 12.39% reported previous hospitalization. Prevalence ratios showed that tattoos were more common among young people, piercings among women and illicit drugs among men. Conclusions -To summarize, the recognition of risk factors for hepatitis C enables proper screening of possible carriers of the hepatitis C virus, thus enabling a reduction in virus shedding. However, being only possible if health services are prepared to deal with hepatitis C virus, through education and public awareness.

Predictive factors for acquiring HCV infection in the population residing in high endemic, resource-limited settings

“…In our study, the multivariable analysis found marital status to be associated with HCV infection; this association was also evident in various international studies. [ 11 15 ] An interesting observation was that employment is also a significant risk factor of the disease, which is not much evaluated in our setting but it is found to be insignificant in western settings during a study. [ 16 ] Another risk factor that was identified in our study was the history of surgery which is also in agreement with other studies conducted in Pakistan.…”

Are Socio-Economic Determinants Important for Patient’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice: Evidence from Hepatitis-C Patients

“…It causes serious health problems all around the world like higher mortality and longer morbidity costs to patients. The disease is commonly present in Canada, America, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Australia and South Africa (0.2%-0.5%) (4). Hepatitis C is spreading in Pakistan.…”

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Analysis of Hepatitis B & C Infections in the Low Socioeconomic Communities; A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan

“…Several risk factors such as ear/body piercing, intravenous drug abuse, tattoo, blood transfusion, needle stick injury, reuse of syringes, barber visits and dental checkups are reported to be associated with hepatitis B or C infection [8]. Moreover low socioeconomic status and lack of awareness about disease transmission routes also contribute signi cantly towards the increase in disease incidence [9].…”