Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013
BACKGROUND/AIMS:
The
prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and
Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study
aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are
associated with HCV infection in these areas.
METHODS:
A case
control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched
with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV
patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in
medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used.
RESULTS:
A total
of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The
significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds
ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime
sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR,
1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient
controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture
(aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the
healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were
significant in the univariate analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
More
education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is
required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle
stick injuries in hospitals and the community.
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- 3Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 5Department of Health and Medical Administration, Suncheon Jeil College, Suncheon, Korea.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
- 8Department of Cancer Control and Policy, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
- 9Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
- Gut Liver. 2016 Jan 23;10(1):126-32. doi: 10.5009/gnl14403.
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