The prevalence and the risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in Serbia

Abstract

Introduction: The epidemiological characteristics of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Republic of Serbia have not been studied sufficiently so far. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the general population of Serbia and determine the risk factors for this infection.
 Methodology: Estimation of the prevalence was done using the median ratio method with data from several regional countries to a previously determined prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among volunteer blood donors of 0.19%. In order to determine the risk factors a matched case-control study was conducted of 106 subjects with confirmed HCV infection from the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia and the same number of hospital controls matched by sex and age.
 Results: The estimated prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the general population of Serbia was 1.13% (95% CI: 1.0-1.26%). The most important predictive risk factors of HCV infection were: intravenous drug use (OR = 31.0; 95% CI: 3.7-259.6), blood transfusions (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6-8.7), invasive dental treatment (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4-6.8), and low level of education (OR = 2.2; 95% CI:1.1-4.7). A total of 91.5% of the persons with hepatitis C had at least one of the significant risk factors.
 Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity ranks Serbia in the range of mid-endemic European countries. Preventive measures should be directed at preventing drug use, on education about getting the infection, creating safe conditions for blood transfusions, and strict adherence to adopted practices in dentistry.

Micro-elimination of HCV as a possible therapeutic strategy: our experience and a review of literature

“…However, there are no available_ official epidemiological data on the incidence and prevalence of the infection in Serbia, except the study by Mitrović et al, showing prevalence around 1.13% in the general Serbian population [1]. According to the official statistical data the population of Serbia is 7,040,272 [2] (since 1 st January 2017, with no data for Kosovo and Metohija), thus providing an estimated number of patients with HCV infection in Serbia of approximately 80,000 [3], shown in Figure 1.…”

Implementation of Microelimination Strategy in Eradication of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Patients With Hemophilia in the Northern Region of Serbia

“…The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive cases ranks Serbia in the range of mid-endemic European countries. 1 Chronic HCV infection is the leading cause of a rising prevalence in end-stage liver disease (ESLD): cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 2 Currently, the world is facing an epidemic of HCV-related complications in patients who received transfusions of blood and blood derivatives until the 1990s, making people with hemophilia (PwH) one of the most vulnerable populations.…”