title: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in Central-West Brazil.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a population of recyclable waste collectors (n = 431) was assessed using a cross-sectional survey in all 15 cooperatives in the city of Goiânia, Central-West Brazil. The HCV prevalence was 1.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.6-3.6) and a history of sexually transmitted infections was independently associated with this infection. HCV RNA (corresponding to genotype 1; subtypes 1a and 1b) was detected in five/seven anti-HCV-positive samples. Although the study population reported a high rate (47.3%) of sharps and needle accidents, HCV infection was not more frequent in recyclable waste collectors than in the general Brazilian population.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil.
authors.forename: Thaís Augusto
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.forename: Carmen Luci Rodrigues
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Sheila Araújo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.forename: Nádia Rúbia Silva
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Megmar Aparecida dos Santos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Andreia Alves
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Regina Maria Bringel
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D059027:Recycling; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral