title: Risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors in Thailand: a multicenter case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in healthy blood donors in Thailand
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a case-control study of 435 HCV-seropositive blood donors and 894 HCV-seronegative blood donors as controls. The study was done with direct interview regarding demographic characteristics and risk factors. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using conditional logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final multivariable model included only the following independent HCVrisk factors: intravenous drug user (IDU) (OR = 61.5; 95%CI, 26.6-142.5), previous blood or blood products transfusion (OR = 12.3; 95%CI, 7.6 -19.9), sharing of razors (OR = 2.3, 95%CI, 1.6-3.2),unsafe injection (OR = 3.3, 95%CI, 1.8-5.9), unused condom (OR = 1.6; 95%CI, 1.1, 2.4). No risk was shown for a history of tattoo, ear piercing, or acupuncture and multiple sexual partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk factors for HCV infection in healthy blood donors in Thailand are IDU, past history of blood transfusion and unsafe injection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sittw@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Tawesak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanwandee
authors.forename: Teerha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Piratvisuth
authors.forename: Kannilka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phornphutkul
authors.forename: Pisaln
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mairiang
authors.forename: Parichart
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Permpikul
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Poovorawan
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D006306:Health Surveys; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology