Systematic Review of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence in the WHO Western Pacific Region

Abstract

Background: This review aimed to identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence estimates among the general population and six key populations (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, sex workers, prisoners/detainees, Indigenous people, and migrants) in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WHO WPR). Methods: Original research articles published between 2016 and 2020 were identified from bibliographic databases. Publications were retrieved, replicas removed, and abstracts screened. Retained full texts were assessed and excluded if inclusion criteria were not met. Methodological quality was assessed using the Johanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for prevalence data. Data on HCV exposure and active infection were extracted and aggregated and forest plots generated for each population by country. Results: There were no HCV prevalence estimates in any population for more than half of WPR countries and territories. Among the 76 estimates, 97% presented prevalence of exposure and 33% prevalence of active infection. General population viraemic prevalence was 1% or less, except in Mongolia. Results confirm the endemic nature of HCV among people who inject drugs, with estimates of exposure ranging from 30% in Cambodia to 76% in Hong Kong. Conclusions: Countries require detailed knowledge of HCV prevalence in diverse populations to evaluate the impact of efforts to support WHO HCV elimination goals. Results provide baseline estimates from which to monitor and evaluate progress and by which to benchmark future elimination efforts.

Towards elimination of chronic viral hepatitis in French Polynesia: results from a national population-based survey

“…8 A systemic review of HCV active infections reported in the region between 2016 and 2020 estimated a prevalence of 1% or less in most countries where data were available. 9 The distribution of HDV infections in the region was shown to be highly irregular. 10 , 11 Kiribati was found to bear one of the highest prevalence of HBV/HDV co-infection in the world, as shown by the finding that 40.8% of HBsAg-positive individuals had detectable HDV RNA in a serosurvey conducted in 2017.…”

Community Strategy for Hepatitis B, C, and D Screening and Linkage to Care in Mongolians Living in Spain

“…Mongolia has the highest incidence of liver cancer in the world, mainly due to chronic HBV and HCV Viruses 2023, 15, 1506 2 of 7 infection. It is the first lower/middle-income country in Asia or the Pacific region to commit to hepatitis elimination, in keeping with the WHO global hepatitis strategy [3,4].…”

Chronic HCV Infection–Comparison of Awareness Regarding Mode of Transmission in Educated and Uneducated Patients Presenting in Gastroenterology/ Medical Clinics in Various Hospitals of Sindh Province

“…2 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 170 million people worldwide, with 3 to 4 million cases reported annually. 3 Pakistan is the second most prevalent country for this chronic condition, 4 which kills 350,000 people every year. 5 The most dreadful complication of chronic hepatitis is hepatocellular carcinoma which is usually detected late and is often incurable.…”