title: Prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Malawi and lack of association with sexually transmitted diseases.
abstract: To investigate the role of sexual transmission for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) we studied its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa where sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are prevalent. Overall, HCV prevalence was 3.9% and similar in 206 STD patients, 127 dermatology patients, and 100 blood donors. No association with HIV or syphilis was observed. Despite high prevalence of STDs, sexual transmission does not appear to significantly contribute to HCV transmission in Malawi.
authors.affiliation: Lilongwe Central Hospital, Ministry of Health and Population, Malawi.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maida
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumwenda
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Vernazza
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*