Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in the general female population from 8 countries

Abstract

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health issue because it is widespread and persistent and can cause serious liver diseases. Objectives The aim of this study is to estimate HCV prevalence in women from the general population in different geographical areas worldwide and to assess the potential role of sexual behaviour in the virus transmission. Study design Each participating centre recruited a random sample of women from the general population aged from less than 20 to more than 75 years. The study included 8,130 women from 8 countries with information on sociodemographic factors, reproductive and sexual behaviour, smoking habit and HPV DNA through individual interviews. A blood sample was also collected to perform serological tests. We estimated the prevalence ratios associated to HCV to evaluate the effect of sexual behaviour in viral transmission. Results Women were reactive to a minimum of two HCV antigens, including at least one non structural protein were considered as positive (33% of the samples were classified as positive, 40% as negative, and 27% as indeterminate (N=402), that were considered as not positive). The age-adjusted HCV seroprevalence varied significantly by regions (0.3 % in Argentina to 21.1% in Nigeria). We found no association between HCV prevalence and age, educational level, smoking habit and any of the available variables for sexual behaviour and reproductive history. Conclusions This large study showed heterogeneous distribution of HCV seroprevalence in female and provides evidence of the null impact of sexual behaviour in HCV transmission.

Current challenges and possible solutions to improve access to care and treatment for hepatitis C infection in Vietnam: a systematic review

“…Twenty one percent (9/42) of the publications reported data from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) or from the southern Vietnam region (Table 1 ), while 52.3% (22/42) reported studies conducted in the north of the country, principally in Hanoi and surrounding provinces [ 18 , 22 , 27 , 32 , 36 , 47 , 49 , 52 , 53 ] (Table 1 ). Eight of forty two retrieved publications characterized the diversity of HCV genotypes in Vietnam [ 14 , 16 , 21 , 33 , 34 , 48 , 50 , 51 ] (Table 1 ).…”

“…Our search identified that HCV seroprevalence in the population may be high (1–4%) compared to other countries in the region [3, 27, 53]. For example, several large-scale seroprevalence studies have reported HCV estimates of asymptomatic Chinese ranging from 0.39 to 3.2% depending of the region [65].…”

“…Of note, the two most recent and larger studies performed to estimate seroprevalence in the general population have found an HCV prevalence of 3.3 and 4.7%, respectively [27, 30]. …”

“…Ascertaining the true likely burden of infection in Vietnam would facilitate advocacy for the implementation of disease specific strategies and guidelines, and provide useful baseline data for further epidemiological measurements. Our search identified that HCV seroprevalence in the population may be high (1–4%) compared to other countries in the region [ 3 , 27 , 53 ]. For example, several large-scale seroprevalence studies have reported HCV estimates of asymptomatic Chinese ranging from 0.39 to 3.2% depending of the region [ 65 ].…”

Estimating the Impact of Expanding Treatment Coverage and Allocation Strategies for Chronic Hepatitis C in a Direct Antiviral Agent Era

“…The prevalence of CHC infection in the general population was 1.4%–4.2% in 1994–2005, 2.15% in 2004, 2.2% in 2005–2008, and 0.97% in 2014, according to the 2014 national survey [ 12 , 27 , 28 ]. Susceptible populations were persons with unsafe injection practices, inadequate sterilization of medical equipment in health care settings, and unscreened blood products.…”