title: [Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Henan province].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Henan province.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multistage sampling was used to investigate a group of 1-75 year-old general population, living in 30 districts of 18 cities, Henan province. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-HCV and hepatitis C virus(HCV), from April to July 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  32 203 persons were investigated. Among the general population aged 1 to 75 years old, the overall prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 0.64% and 0.35% respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV among males and females were 0.60%, and 0.68% respectively, with the rates of HCV RNA as 0.37%, and 0.33% respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were increasing with age. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA in urban area were 0.58% and 0.32%, and in rural area as 0.41%, and 0.19% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the implementation of comprehensive measures for HCV control and prevention, Henan province became low prevalent for HCV infection. Our data revealed that the overall prevalence remained low, but the epidemic was severe in some geographical regions in Henan province.
authors.affiliation: Henan Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China.
authors.forename: Pan-ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Ding-yong
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yan-min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Guo-qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Wei-guo
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jing-yang
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires