title: Behavioral and healthcare-associated risk factors for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Korea.
abstract: The risk factors related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed geographic and temporal differences. We investigated HCV-related risk factors in Korea where intravenous drug use (IVDU) is uncommon. The HCV-related risk factors were investigated in a prospective, multicenter chronic HCV cohort (n = 711) using a standardized questionnaire in four university hospitals. The results were compared with those of 206 patients with chronic liver diseases not related to either of HCV or hepatitis B virus infection (comparison group). The IVDU was found in 3.9% and remote blood transfusion (≥ 20 yr ago) in 18.3% in HCV cohort group, while that in comparison group was in none and 5.3%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic analysis, transfusion in the remote past (odds ratio [OR], 2.99), needle stick injury (OR, 4.72), surgery (OR, 1.89), dental procedures (OR, 2.96), tattooing (OR, 2.07), and multiple sexual partners (2-3 persons; OR, 2.14, ≥ 4 persons; OR, 3.19), were independent risk factors for HCV infection. In conclusion, the major risk factors for HCV infection in Korea are mostly related to conventional or alterative healthcare procedures such as blood transfusion in the remote past, needle stick injury, surgery, dental procedure, and tattooing although multiple sex partners or IVDU plays a minor role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Yeop
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Juhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Ho
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kil
authors.forename: Si Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Young Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Han Chu
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sook-Hyang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000209:etiology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013653:Tattooing; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000150:complications