title: Epidemiology of HCV infection in Gezira state of central Sudan.
abstract: This is a cross sectional study carried out in Gezira state of central Sudan, an area with a high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection, to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and risks factors for HCV infection. A total of 410 subjects in Um Zukra village were tested for HCV antibodies, 2.2% were reactive. The prevalence was highest in those between 11 and 20 years old with equal prevalence among males and females. No correlation was found between HCV infection and S. mansoni infection or parenteral antischistosomal therapy. It was concluded that HCV infection is of low seroprevalence and that schistosomiasis and parenteral antischistosomal therapy are not major risk factors for infection in the population studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. hmudawi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hatim M Y
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mudawi
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Siddig A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rahoud
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Adel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Babikir
authors.forename: Osman K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Suleiman S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fedail
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies