Prevalence and Associated Factors of Viral Hepatitis C among Burundian Population during a Screening Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Study Carried out in Burundi

Abstract

Approximately 180 million people worldwide are affected by Viral hepatitis C, with 350,000 to 500,000 deaths yearly. The present study sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of viral hepatitis C (VHC) among the Burundian population during a screening campaign. A total of 629 participants took part in the study, and the prevalence of viral hepatitis C was (8.11%). The associated factors identified as statistically associated were medical and surgical history (P = 0.02) and ear and nose piercing (P = 0.01). 51% of the infected persons were females. The mean age for viral hepatitis C carriage was 46.13 ± 14.3 years and 10.40% of viral hepatitis C carriers were over 50 years old. We found a high viral hepatitis C prevalence in married (9.55%) and divorced (9.38%) participants. The majority of our participants were farmers (60.25%) with a prevalence of viral hepatitis C (7.92%) while 11.54% of the infected participants were not educated. In conclusion, the current study shows a high prevalence of Viral Hepatitis C infection in Burundi. Infection was more likely to occur in older, married, farmer, and illiterates. Unsafe medical and surgical interventions with traditional practitioners were significant risk factors for contracting VHC infection.