Gut Liver.
2016 Jan;10(1):126-132. 10.5009/gnl14403.
Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013
- Affiliations
-
- 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. moranki@naver.com
- 9Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
- KMID: 2382353
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl14403
Abstract
- 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.
Keyword
MeSH Terms
-
Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects
Adult
Aged
Blood Transfusion/adverse effects
Body Piercing/adverse effects
Case-Control Studies
Equipment Reuse
Female
*Hepacivirus
Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/*transmission/virology
Humans
Life Style
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Needlestick Injuries/complications/virology
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Tattooing/adverse effects
Workplace
Young Adult
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