title: The prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in adult population in Romania: a nationwide survey 2006 - 2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Romania and the possible risk factors and modality of HCV transmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nationwide cross-sectional survey among the adult population was conducted between 2006-2008 in Romania through a population multicenter stratified random cluster sampling. Serum samples from 13,460 subjects were tested with a 3rd generation ELISA and a standardized questionnaire concerning the socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rate of HCV infection in Romanian adult population was 3.23% with significant differences between the main geographical regions (Moldavia 4.25%, Wallachia & Dobrogea 3.35% and Transylvania & Banat 2.63%), as well as between different counties (maximum 7.19%, minimum 0.56%). Overall participation rate to the survey of the selected subjects was 74.69%. Risk factors for HCV infection were: blood/blood products transfusions (p=0.0001), previous surgery (elective and emergency, p=0.0001 and p=0.043, respectively), frequent hospitalizations (p=0.0001), injections at home (p=0.0001), accidents/trauma (p=0.0001), occupational hazard related to blood exposure (p=0.025), intravenous drug administration (p=0.002), a partner chronically infected with HCV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) (p=0.046), first sexual intercourse <18 years (p=0.019), familial exposure to HCV/HBV infection (p=0.001) or to chronic HBV/HCV liver disease (p=0.001), personal history of chronic HBV infection (p=0.001). HCV RNA positivity was detected in 91% of the anti HCV positive subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall HCV prevalence in Romania is 3.23%. Both nosocomial and non-nosocomial routes are implicated as risk factors for HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Center of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Bucharest, Romania. drgheorghe@xnet.ro
authors.forename: Liana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gheorghe
authors.forename: Irma Eva
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Csiki
authors.forename: Speranta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iacob
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gheorghe
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smira
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Regep
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult