scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Prisoners in Lakan Prison, North of Iran, Is There Still a Concern?

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-770
Author(s):  
Zahra Mohtasham-Amiri ◽  
Seyed Mahmoud Rezvani ◽  
Farhad Ashoori ◽  
Mohsen Behboodi ◽  
Hasan Toosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
History Of

Background: Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver failure and liver transplantation. The known risk factors of this disease include blood transfusion, injection drug use, high risk sexual behaviors, tattoos, and use of shared blades and syringes. Due to the higher risk of viral hepatitis among people in prison, this study was done to find the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and associated risk factors in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Methods: Prisoners in Lakan Prison underwent a cross-sectional study in 2018. A questionnaire containing demographic information and risk factors was distributed to the inmates and they were asked complete them. High-risk individuals were selected and a blood sample was taken and tested. Data were collected and analyzed by SPSS18 software. Results: Out of 2215 prisoners, 1238 people had at least one risk factor, of whom 408 individuals were selected by random sampling. One hundred inmates were positive for anti-HCV antibody, yielding a prevalence of 24.5% (95% CI: 20.4%–28.7%) of whom 42.6% were people who injected drugs and 4 cases were found positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen, yielding a 1% prevalence (95% CI, 0.2%–2%.). A history of injecting drug use (OR 4.28, 95% CI: 2.55–7.17), and previous history of imprisonment (OR 2.94, 95% CI: 1.34–6.53) had association with HCV infection. Conclusion: The present study shows that hepatitis C is prevalent in prisons and preventive and screening programs should be implemented with necessary training for inmates.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C in pregnancy: an observational study highlighting its association with maternal parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 344
Author(s):  
Bushra . ◽  
Ambreen Ghori ◽  
Azra Ahmed ◽  
Najma Dalwani ◽  
Mushtaque Ali Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Singleton Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of

Background: Pregnancy is a very crucial time in a woman’s life. In this period of time, not only multiple physiological alterations effect the usual health status but also makes women more vulnerable to contract infection and face negative sequalae. Hepatitis C, a blood borne viral infection serve the similar fate when encountered by pregnant ladies. This study is based on exploring the prevalence of the Hepatitis C virus seropositivity among pregnant population. Moreover, we also evaluated the major risk factors leading to the infection in these mothers. Besides this, infected mothers were studied for their pregnancy outcomes.Methods: In this study 114 pregnant females were observed for this cross-sectional study. It was conducted in Gynecology Unit- 1, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, for the period of January 2017 to July 2017. Chi square test was applied for statistical analysis on SPSS version 16. The criteria for enrollment in the study was set to be a pregnant lady belonging to age group 20-35 years; having singleton pregnancy; was a booked case at the hospital with compliant to antenatal follow ups; admitted to the labor room for delivery. All the non-pregnant ladies, whom had co morbid conditions such as hypertension or diabetes or had infected with hepatitis B or D were excluded from the study. Furthermore, pregnant ladies with multiple gestion or those who were either diagnosed of hepatitis C prior to conceive or had a previous history of hepatitis C were also excluded.Results: Present study revealed that out of 114, 10(8.8%) pregnant ladies were found seropositive for Hepatitis C virus. Prior history for transfusion of blood was the Foremost risk factor discovered, with 60.5% women reported this. History of surgery was the 2nd commonest factor and 43.9% had this in their medical records. On the other hand, only 8.8% women gave the history for previous evacuation. While observing pregnancy outcomes, we found 48.2% neonates had low birth weight, 41.2% were born preterm and 21.1% had low APGAR score.Conclusions: In a nutshell hepatitis c is prevalent in the pregnant population of this region and showing its effects in the form of compromised pregnancies. History of blood transfusion and previous surgery were found to be chief risk factors in the study.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Screening of High-Risk Patients in a Canadian Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kelsey Ragan ◽  
Anjali Pandya ◽  
Tristan Holotnak ◽  
Katrina Koger ◽  
Neil Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hcv Screening

Background. Approximately 0.7% of the Canadian population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many individuals are unaware of their infection. Our objectives were to utilize an emergency department (ED) based point-of-care (POC) HCV screening test to describe our local population and estimate the proportion of high-risk patients in our population with undiagnosed HCV. Methods. A convenience sample of medically stable patients (≥18 years) presenting to a community ED in Calgary, AB, between April and July 2018 underwent rapid clinical screening for HCV risk factors, including history of injection drug use, healthcare in endemic countries, and other recognized criteria. High-risk patients were offered POC HCV testing. Antibody-positive patients underwent HCV-RNA testing and were linked to hepatology care. The primary outcome was the proportion of new HCV diagnoses in the high-risk population. Results. Of the 999 patients screened by survey, 247 patients (24.7%) were high-risk and eligible for testing. Of these, 123 (49.8%) were from HCV-endemic countries, while 63 (25.5%) and 31 (12.6%) patients endorsed a history of incarceration and intravenous drug use (IVDU), respectively. A total of 144 (58.3%) eligible patients agreed to testing. Of these, 6 patients were POC-positive (4.2%, CI 0.9–7.4%); all 6 had antibodies detected on confirmatory lab testing and 4 had detectable HCV-RNA viral loads in follow-up. Notably, 103 (41.7%) patients declined POC testing. Interpretation. Among 144 high-risk patients who agreed to testing, the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection was 4.2%, and the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection with detectable viral load was 2.8%. Many patients with high-risk clinical criteria refused POC testing. It is unknown if tested and untested groups have the same disease prevalence. This study shows that ED HCV screening is feasible and that a small number of previously undiagnosed patients can be identified and linked to potentially life-changing care.

scholarly journals New hepatitis C virus infection, re-infection and associated risk behaviour in male Irish prisoners: a cohort study, 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Des Crowley ◽  
Gordana Avramovic ◽  
Walter Cullen ◽  
Collette Farrell ◽  
Anne Halpin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Heroin Use ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Prisoners are recognised as a high-risk population and prisons as high-risk locations for the transmission of hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection. Injecting drug use (IDU) is the main driver of HCV infection in prisoners and harm reduction services are often suboptimal in prison settings. HCV prevalence and incident data in prisoners is incomplete which impacts the public health opportunity that incarceration provides in identifying, treating and preventing HCV infection. The aim of this study is to identify new HCV infection and associated risk factors in an Irish male prison. Methods We conducted a follow up (18-month) cohort study on prisoners who had previously tested negative, self-cleared or had been successfully treated for HCV infection. We conducted the study in a male medium security prison located in Dublin Ireland (Mountjoy Prison) using HCV serology, a review of medical records and a researcher-administered questionnaire. Results 99 prisoners with a mean age of 33.2 yrs. participated in the study and 82(82.8%) completed a research-administered questionnaire. Over half (51%) had a history of drug use from a young age (14.8 yrs.), 49.9% a history of heroin use and 39% a history of IDU. The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus core antibody was 3% and HCV antibody was 22.2%. No new HCV infections were identified in those who had never been infected (n = 77), had self-cleared (n = 9) or achieved sustained virological response (n = 12). Small numbers of prisoners continued to engage in risk-behaviour including, IDU both in the prison (n = 2) and the community (n = 3), sharing syringes (n = 1) and drug taking paraphernalia (n = 6) and receiving non-sterile tattoos (n = 3). Conclusion Despite the high numbers of Irish prisoners with a history of IDU and HCV infection, new HCV infection is low or non-existent in this population. Small numbers of prisoners continue to engage in risk behaviour and larger studies are required to further understand HCV transmission in this cohort in an Irish and international context.

scholarly journals 1298. Analysis of Factors Influencing Consent for Opt-out HIV Screening Among High-Risk Groups Vulnerable to HIV in an Urban Emergency Department

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S468-S468
Author(s):  
Anjana Maheswaran ◽  
Abhinav K Reddy ◽  
Mary Kate Mannion ◽  
Janet Lin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Screening ◽  
Consent Rate ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
History Of ◽  
Iv Drug Use

Abstract Background The University of Illinois Hospital Emergency Department (ED) implemented routine, electronic medical record (EMR)-driven opt-out HIV screening in November 2014. Programmatic data indicated an average consent rate of 79%, similar to other ED HIV screening programs in the country. However, there is limited evidence on the role risk factors play on consent rate. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between patients’ risk factors for HIV and the likelihood of declining screening. Methods The ED screening algorithm has a nontargeted and targeted component qualifying individuals based on age and presence of risk factors, respectively. We retrospectively evaluated risk factors and consent responses of high-risk individuals identified by the targeted component of the EMR algorithm between January 2017 and March 2019. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis in R to explore the association between risk factors and the likelihood of declining screening. Results Of 47,197 screening eligible individuals, 27,044 were high-risk among whom 12% never consented. The majority of those who never consented had no history of intravenous (IV) drug use, homelessness, unsafe sexual practices, recent sexually transmitted infection (STI) and did not identify as homosexual, bisexual or transgender. Individuals who identified as homosexual, bisexual, or transgender (OR = 0.53), from high-risk zip code (OR = 0.77), with history of IV drug use (OR = 0.43), and with recent STI (OR = 0.60) were found to be significantly less likely to never consent compared with their counterparts. Also, patients who were male (OR = 1.14), White (OR = 1.38), Asian (OR = 1.57), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native (OR = 1.44) were significantly more likely to never consent compared with their counterparts. Conclusion Our results show that patients at high risk for HIV consent at higher rates for HIV screening in an opt-out setting. These findings suggest that while educational efforts on the importance of testing may have been successful in patients at the highest risk, additional efforts are needed to improve awareness among those who may not self-identify or be identified by medical providers as being at risk for HIV and reinforce the importance of universal screening. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection. A case-control study of blood donors in the Trent Region (UK)

1994 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Neal ◽  
D. A. Jones ◽  
D. Killey ◽  
V. James
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
History Of ◽  
Control Study

SUMMARYThe introduction of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the National Blood Transfusion Service identified donors who had acquired HCV infection. We undertook a case-control study amongst blood donors in the Trent Region to determine risks for HCV infection. A total of 74 blood donors confirmed positive for hepatitis C infection and 150 age, sex and donor venue matched controls were included in the study. Fifty-three percent of hepatitis C infected blood donors reported previous use of injected drugs compared to no controls; relative risk (RR) not estimatable (lower limit 95% CI = 20). Other risk factors were a history of: receipt of a blood transfusion or blood products RR = 3·6 (95% CI 1·5–8·3), having been a ‘health care worker’ RR = 2·8 (95% CI 1·1–7·6), tattooing RR = 3·3 (95% CI 1·2–8·7), and an association with having been born abroad RR = 3·2 (95% CI 1·1–9·5). No risk was shown for a history of multiple sexual partners, ear piercing or acupuncture. Injecting drug use explains more than 50% of hepatitis C infections in blood donors, a group who are less likely to have injected drugs than the general population.

The diagnosis of hepatitis C in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine clinic

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 847-849
Author(s):  
A R Markos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Intravenous Drug Use ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Routine Test ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
History Of ◽  
Genitourinary Medicine

A retrospective casenote study was conducted to examine the risk factors for patients who were diagnosed as hepatitis C (HCV)-positive (between 1999 and 2001) in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine (GUM) setting in Staffordshire, UK. There was a remarkable escalation in the number of reported HCV-positive cases, year on year, in our study. The majority of the positive cases (20/21) gave a history of previous intravenous drug use (IVDU). The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were reportedly high in our HCV-positive patients. The increasing number of reported HCV-positive cases in the GUM clinic of the semirural Staffordshire setting, may reflect a national pattern that needs further investigations. We advise that HCV serology should be offered to GUM clients (who have a history of IVDU), and to their sex partners. They should also be advised to take tests to exclude other STDs. The case for offering HCV serology as a routine test for patients who request 'the exclusion of STDs' is still undecided.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Viruses Types 1 and 2 Antibodies in Hepatitis C Virus-Positive Patients: Manitoba, Canada, 2012–2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamran Kadkhoda ◽  
Gerry Smart ◽  
Diane Bacon ◽  
Adara Casselman ◽  
Laurie Malloch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
T Cell ◽  
High Risk ◽  
North America ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Intravenous Drug Use ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Human T Cell ◽  
High Risk Populations

Abstract Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 are probably among the most neglected blood-borne pathogens that have experienced significant changes in their epidemiology since discovery, which could be attributed to globalization and intravenous drug use practices as well as enhanced screening recommendations; however, systematic prevalence studies, especially in high-risk populations in North America, are not updated.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and the Natural History of HCV Infection Acquired in Infancy

2005 ◽  
Vol 192 (11) ◽  
pp. 1880-1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric E. Mast ◽  
Lu‐Yu Hwang ◽  
Dexter S. Y. Seto ◽  
Frederick S. Nolte ◽  
Omana V. Nainan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Perinatal Transmission ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals A simple Risk-Based Strategy for Hepatitis C virus Screening Among Incarcerated People in a Low- to Middle-Income Setting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanam Hariri ◽  
Maryam Sharafkhah ◽  
Maryam Alavi ◽  
Gholamreza Roshandel ◽  
Abdolreza Fazel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is among the highest priority diseases in custodial settings; however, the diagnosis remains suboptimal among people in custody. This study aimed to validate a short survey for identifying people with HCV infection in a provincial prison in Iran.Methods: Between July and December 2018, residents and newly admitted inmates of Gorgan central prison completed a questionnaire, including data on the history of HCV testing, drug use, injecting drug use, sharing injecting equipment, and imprisonment. Participants received rapid HCV antibody testing, followed by venipuncture for RNA testing (antibody-positive only). Each enrollment question (yes/no) was compared with the testing results (positive/negative).Results: Overall, 1892 people completed the questionnaire, including 621 (34%) who were currently on opioid agonist therapy (OAT); 30% of participants had been tested for HCV previously. About 71% had a history of drug use, of whom 13% had ever injected drugs; 56% had ever shared injecting equipment. Prevalence of HCV antibody and RNA was 6.9% (n=130) and 4.8% (n=90), respectively. The antibody prevalence was higher among people on OAT compared to those with no history of OAT (11.4% vs. 4.0%). History of drug use was the most accurate predictor of having a positive HCV antibody (sensitivity: 95.2%, negative predictive value: 98.9%) and RNA testing (sensitivity: 96.7%, negative predictive value: 99.5%). Sensitivity of the drug use question was lowest among people with no OAT history and new inmates (87% and 89%, respectively). Among all participants, sensitivity and negative predictive value of the other questions were low and ranged from 34% to 54% and 94% to 97%, respectively.Conclusions: In resource-limited settings, HCV screening based on having a history of drug use could replace universal screening in prisons to reduce costs. Developing tailored screening strategies together with further cost studies are crucial to address the current HCV epidemic in low- to middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among High-risk Egyptian Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1792-1796
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hodeib ◽  
Alzhraa Fahmy ◽  
Gamal Taha ◽  
Mostafa Sheemy ◽  
Manar Ali
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽  
Egyptian Children
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