title: [Assessment of the occurrence and basic determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among medical students in Silesian voivodeship].
abstract: HCV infection may result in serious health consequences such as chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer. In Poland, the data on the prevalence of HCV infection is limited and available information suggests an increased risk among young males. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between medical and non medical students, and to explore probable routes of HCV transmission. The project was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The study group included medical students (IV, V and VI year) and non medical students as a control group. The subjects were examined in the period from November 2002 to January 2003, (study group: n = 221; control group: n = 129). Serum samples were tested for antibody to HCV by ELISA method and anti-HCV positive samples were verified using Western Blot Line technique. Probable routes of infection were assessed by questionnaire. Preliminary results obtained in 29% of the target group suggested, that the prevalence of positive anti-HCV among students was 2.6% (95% PU: 1.2%-4.8%). It was higher among non medical than medical students (4.7% vs 1.4%). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of hepatitis. Verification of 9 positive anti-HCV cases proved only 1 HCV infection. Results presented in this paper are preliminary and will be verified after obtaining data for 600 medical students and for 600 subjects in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Epidemiologii, Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego SAM w Katowicach. epikoma@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kowalska
authors.forename: Bogumiła
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Braczkowska
authors.forename: Jan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Zejda
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kulawik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies