title: Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among young Thai men.
abstract: Epidemiologic studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unusual in developing countries, especially Thailand. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for HCV among military conscripts, including a sample of 5,246 men (1:30 sample), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 positive men (N = 500) between 2005 and 2008. The HCV prevalence was 2.2% in the sampled group and 8.4% in HIV-1 sero-positives. Among the sampled group, HIV-1 infection, injection drug use (IDU) history, and unsafe injections were associated with HCV infection; adjusted prevalence rate ratios [RRs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were 3.7 (1.04-12.77), 1.9 (1.04-3.54), and 1.8 (1.02-3.11), respectively. Among HIV-1 sero-positives, an IDU history and residence in southern Thailand were associated with HCV prevalence; adjusted RRs (95% CIs) were 3.5 (1.71-7.24) and 2.6 (1.18-5.61), respectively. Public health measures to prevent HCV in Thailand should focus on reducing injection drug use and other exposures to unsafe injections among young Thai men.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Anchalee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jatapai
authors.forename: Kenrad E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Thippawan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chuenchitra
authors.forename: Khunakorn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kana
authors.forename: Sakol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eiumtrakul
authors.forename: Ekachai
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sunantarod
authors.forename: Ram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rangsin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult