Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in a rural area of South Korea: the role of acupuncture.
A cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of and the risk factors for hepatitis C and B viruses among 700 adults above the age of 40 years in a rural area of South Korea. Seropositivity for hepatitis C virus antibody (11.0%, 95% confidence interval: 8.7-13.6) was higher than that for hepatitis B surface antigen (4.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.0-6.2). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of repeated acupuncture (odds ratio=2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-4.0), and blood transfusion (odds ratio=5.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.6-19.3) before 1992 when hepatitis C virus screening in blood donors became mandatory. Hepatitis C virus 2a was the most prevalent genotype, followed by 1b. Hepatitis C virus risk attributable to acupuncture was 38% (9% for men and 55% for women). Safer acupuncture practice has become a priority for hepatitis C virus prevention in South Korea.
Shin
H R
HR
Division of Cancer Control and Epidemiology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 809 Madu-dong, Ilsan-Gu, Koyang, Kyonggi, 411-764 South Korea.
Kim
J Y
JY
Kim
J I
JI
Lee
D H
DH
Yoo
K Y
KY
Lee
D S
DS
Franceschi
S
S
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D018454:Spouses
D012367:RNA, Viral