Likely transmission of hepatitis C virus through sharing of cutting and perforating instruments in blood donors in the State of Pará, Northern Brazil.
We determined the risk factors for HCV infection in blood donors in the State of Pará, Northern Brazil. We examined 256 blood donors seen at the Blood Bank of Pará State between 2004 and 2006. They were divided into two groups, depending on whether they were infected with HCV or not; 116 donors were infected with HCV, while the other 140 were free of infection. The HCV-RNA was detected by real-time PCR. All of the participants filled out a questionnaire about possible risk factors. The data were evaluated using simple and multiple logistic regressions. The main risk factors for HCV were found to be use of needles and syringes sterilized at home (OR = 4.55), invasive dental treatment (OR = 3.08), shared use of razors at home (OR = 1.99), sharing of disposable razors in barbershops, beauty salons, etc. (OR = 2.34), and sharing manicure and pedicure material (OR = 3.45). Local and regional health authorities should educate the public about sharing perforating and cutting materials at home, in barber/beauty shops, and in dental clinics as risk factors for HCV infection.
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Augusto Correa 1, Belém, Brazil.
Aldemir Branco de
AB
Oliveira-Filho
Adriana do Socorro Coelho
Ado S
Pimenta
Márcia de Fátima Maciel
Mde F
Rojas
Márcia Cristina Munhoz
MC
Chagas
Deborah Maia
DM
Crespo
José Angelo Barletta
JA
Crescente
José Alexandre Rodrigues de
JA
Lemos
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D012367:RNA, Viral