title: Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in Inland Brazil: an analysis of pooled epidemiological sectional studies.
abstract: In order to assess the contribution of different parenteral routes as risk exposure to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), samples from nine surveys or cross-sectional studies conducted in two Brazilian inland regions were pooled, including a total of 3,910 subjects. Heterogeneity among the study results for different risk factors was tested and the results were shown to be homogeneous. Anti-HCV antibodies were observed in 241 individuals, of which 146 (3.7%, 95% CI = 3.2-4.4) had HCV exposure confirmed by immunoblot analysis or PCR test. After adjustment for relevant variables, a correlation between confirmed HCV exposure and injection drug use, tattooing, and advance age was observed. In a second logistic model that included exposures not searched in all nine studies, a smaller sample was analyzed, revealing an independent HCV association with past history of surgery and males who have sex with other males, in addition to repeated injection drug use. Overall, these analyses corroborate the finding that injection drug use is the main risk factor for HCV exposure and spread, in addition to other parenteral routes.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. fsouto@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Francisco José Dutra
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Souto
authors.forename: Cor Jésus Fernandes
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fontes
authors.forename: Luara Teófilo
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Pignati
authors.forename: Maria Emiliana Sarno
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pagliarini
authors.forename: Valfredo da Mota
authors.initials: Vda M
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Ana de Lourdes Candolo
authors.initials: Ade L
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: José Fernando de Castro
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Eduardo Antonio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Donadi
authors.forename: Afonso Diniz
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Passos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies