Heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV-1 in a sample of inner city women.
BACKGROUND
To clarify the role of heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to identify associated risk factors.


OBJECTIVE
To compare risk factors with infection among women with HCV, HIV-1, and hepatitis B virus (HBV).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of HCV, HIV-1, and HBV in a sample of 599 sexually active, nontransfused, inner-city women with no evidence of intravenous drug use.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HCV was 1.6%, compared with 2.0% for HIV-1 and 18.8% for HBV; 75% of women infected with HCV were also infected with HIV-1 or HBV (P < 0.001). Women engaging in very high-risk sexual behavior were 14.2 times more likely to have HCV than other women (95% CI, 1.8-642.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemic of HCV may be facilitated by high-risk sexual behavior. The relatively high prevalence of HCV suggests the need for more widespread screening among inner-city females.
Feldman
J G
JG
Department of Preventive Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 11203, USA.
Minkoff
H
H
Landesman
S
S
Dehovitz
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D016387:Women's Health