[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and cohabiting contacts].
OBJECTIVE
Study of the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection and of cohabiting contacts.


METHODS
A descriptive crossover study.


METHODS
Health District.


METHODS
There were a total of 13,500 people with histories opened at our centre. The histories of patients attending for general medical consultations between January 1995 and December 1996 were reviewed for Ac+ to the Hepatitis C (HC) virus.


RESULTS
145 patients were found to be Ac positive for HC (1.07%; CI, 0.9-1.2). 135 were index cases and 10 contacts. The most important items of history were intravenous drug use in 33 carriers (23%), transfusion in 22 (15%), contact with non-disposable material in 97 (67%) and surgery in 119 (82%). 115 (79%) of those infected had Transaminase disorder (< x10).


CONCLUSIONS
The 1.07% prevalence found was similar to other studies. Previous surgery stood out among the factors causing risk of infection. Prevalence among cohabitants was 7%, half through sexual contacts. Since there was a higher prevalence of HC+ among family members (50% sexual partners), we believe the study should be extended and followed up in the family environment.
López Expósito
F
F
Area Básica de Salud Bon Pastor, DAP Sant Andreu, Barcelona.
Massagué Camins
C
C
Cano Romera
A
A
López Plana
A
A
Espona Barris
R
R
López Martínez
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016358:Contact Tracing; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
Estudio de la prevalencia de infección por el virus de la hepatitis C y estudio de contactos convivientes.