Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Infection among Household Contacts in Zahedan

Document Type : Original Research

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Abstract

Introduction. The estimated number of HCV infected people is 170 million in the world. Complete recovery is rarely seen in hepatitis C patients and progression to chronic disease is almost always a rule. Lack of passive and active immunization makes preventive measures less practical in this situation. Material andMethods. We conducted a matched case-control study in which the risk factors of hepatitis C infection among household contacts were analyzed in Zahedan. Two hundred (41 index cases and 159 family members) were evaluated according to the risk factors including: history of blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse, unsafe sex, tattooing, surgery and gastrointestinal endoscopies. Results. Forty-six patients (41 index cases and 5 family members) were HCVAb positive in whom 38 (82.6%) were males and 8 (17.4%) were females whereas half the seronegative cases were males (P < 0.000). Other risk factors including history of blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse, unsafe sex, tattooing and surgery were statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.05). There was not a significant difference between marital status and hepatitis C. Discussion. Since prevention measures in hepatitis C are more important than treatment, awareness of risk factors by global instruction is recommended. 

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Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 7, Issue 4 - Serial Number 22
January and February 2006
Pages 343-348

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