title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and associated risk factors in urban areas of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk factors for the transmission of HCV vary substantially between countries and geographic regions. The overall prevalence in south and east Africa region has been estimated to be 1.6% but limited information about the epidemiology of HCV infection in Madagascar is available
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey for hepatitis C antibodies was conducted in 2,169 subjects of the general population of Antananarivo to determine seroprevalence of hepatitis C and associated risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall seroprevalence was 1.2% (25/2,169). The prevalence did not differ significantly according to gender but it increased with age (Chi2 tendency test, p < 10-5). The variable history of hospitalization, previous therapeutic injections, dental treatment, intravenous drug use, and abnormal ALT and AST were statistically significantly related with the presence of HCV antibodies. No relationship with past history of blood transfusion was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV prevalence in Madagascar seems to be similar to that in most other east African countries. Age appears to be an important risk factor. Iatrogenic causes of HCV transmission need to be further evaluated because all HCV cases had a history of receiving therapeutic injections and data suggested a cumulative effect in relation with therapeutic injections.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'Epidémiologie, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. charlesr@pasteur.mg
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ramarokoto
authors.forename: Fanjasoa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rakotomanana
authors.forename: Maherisoa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ratsitorahina
authors.forename: Vaomalala
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raharimanga
authors.forename: Richter
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Razafindratsimandresy
authors.forename: Rindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Randremanana
authors.forename: Mala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakoto-Andrianarivelo
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rousset
authors.forename: Voahangy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Andrianaja
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Leon P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Rabarijaona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008270:Madagascar / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies