title: Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in Kech District, Balochistan, Pakistan: most infections remain unexplained. A cross-sectional study.
abstract: We studied a cross-sectional sample of the population of Kech, a small rural town in Pakistan to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C infection. The prevalence of hepatitis C was 110 out of 2000 persons (5·5%, 95% confidence interval 4·5-6·5). Higher rates were identified in males. Independent risk factors identified were age ≥75 years, being a healthcare worker, and injecting drug use. There was a high prevalence of many potential routes of transmission of bloodborne viruses and most people reported at least one potential risk factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Government Ata Shad Degree College, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Myles
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Neal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult