title: [A sero-epidemiological study on hepatitis C in China].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand and measure the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we conducted a sero-epidemiological study using the remaining blood samples and data of the nationwide survey of hepatitis B in Chinese residents which was carried out in 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-HCV reagent was screened out from the reagents by the HCV infection blood serum plate with anti-HCV positives or negatives. This plate recognized the Murex 3.0 and Ortho 3.0 reagents as gold standards. Anti-HCV in the blood samples were tested using this reagent and confirmed by Chiron HCV RIBA 3.0 reagents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the population aged 1 year to 59 year-olds, the overall prevalence rate of anti-HCV was 0.43% (95%CI: 0.33% - 0.53%), with the rates of anti-HCV among males and females as 0.46% and 0.40%, respectively. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in urban area was 0.43%, and in rural area it was 0.43%. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in the Eastern, Middle and Western areas were 0.37% (95%CI: 0.21% - 0.53%), 0.67% (95%CI: 0.40% - 0.94%) and 0.31% (95%CI: 0.20% - 0.42%) respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV for the three areas did not show significant differences, statistically. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in the South and North areas were 0.29% (95%CI: 0.21% - 0.52%) and 0.53% (95%CI: 0.38% - 0.64%) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data revealed that China was in the low prevalence area for hepatitis C infection and the results also suggested that the comprehensive measures for HCV control and prevention had been successfully achieved in the country.
authors.affiliation: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050.
authors.forename: Yuan-sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fu-qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Wen-ge
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhi-yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Mai-geng
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiao-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Fu-zhen
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Hui-ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Sheng-li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-zhong
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult