Seroprevalence of hepatitis C among a juvenile detention population.
The seroprevalence and determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among adolescents in juvenile detention centers in Riverside County was assessed. Among 728 participants, 16 (2.2%, 95% CI 1.1%, 3.3%) demonstrated serologic evidence of HCV infection. Adolescents with a history of injection drug use (adjusted OR = 10.8, 95% CI 2.6, 45.3, P < .001) were more likely to be HCV seropositive, however the frequency of reported injection drug use was just 4%, and only 12% of HCV infection could be attributable to injecting drugs in this population. Additional information is needed on risk factors for HCV infection in adolescent populations. The relatively low level of HCV infection observed in this juvenile detention population underscores the opportunity for implementation of targeted intervention efforts.
Feldman
Gary M
GM
Department of Public Health, County of Riverside, Riverside, California, USA.
Sorvillo
Frank
F
Cole
Barbara
B
Lawrence
William A
WA
Mares
Rebecca
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*