[Prevalence of risk factors associated with hepatitis C in blood donors in the municipality of Durango, Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of anti-viral hepatitis C antibodies (HCV-Ab+) in voluntary blood donors and to identify the main risk factors associated with it.


METHODS
A case-control study was conducted over a 20-month period beginning in June 1993. A clinical history was obtained from all blood donors seen at the Centro Estatal de la Transfusión Sanguínea (State Blood Transfusion Center) and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Durango, Mexico. HCV-Ab+ was determined in 5 915 serum assays using the second generation enzymatic immunoassay (UBI HCV EIA).


RESULTS
The prevalence of HCV-Ab+ was 1.47 per 100 donors. The HCV-Ab+ prevalence was similar for urban and rural donors (1.54% and 1.34%) with no history of work migration. The main risk factors associated with HCV were a history of transfusions, (odds ratio -OR- 14.80, 95% confidence interval -CI-4.97-47.17) and sexual promiscuity or intercourse with prostitutes, (OR 6.53, 95% CI 2.61-16.54).


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of HCV-Ab+ may be explained by the lack of epidemiological surveillance of the population at risk. These data underscore the need for routine screening of HCV-Ab among voluntary blood donors and male or female prostitutes.
Guerrero-Romero
J F
JF
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Durango, México.
Castañeda
A
A
Rodríguez-Morán
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
Prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a hepatitis "C" en donadores de sangre en el municipio de Durango, México.