title: Prevalence of the hepatitis C virus among University employees in São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil: predictive factors and geoprocessing spatial analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are limited studies on the prevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Objective Identify the prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection in university employees of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Digital serological tests for anti-HCV have been performed in 3153 volunteers. For the application of digital testing was necessary to withdraw a drop of blood through a needlestick. The positive cases were performed for genotyping and RNA. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used, with P-value <0.05 indicating statistical significance. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were also used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.7%. The risk factors associated with HCV infection were: age >40 years, blood transfusion, injectable drugs, inhalable drugs (InDU), injectable Gluconergam®, glass syringes, tattoos, hemodialysis and sexual promiscuity. Age (P=0.01, OR 5.6, CI 1.4 to 22.8), InDU (P<0.0001, OR=96.8, CI 24.1 to 388.2), Gluconergam® (P=0.0009, OR=44.4, CI 4.7 to 412.7) and hemodialysis (P=0.0004, OR=90.1, CI 7.5 - 407.1) were independent predictors. Spatial analysis of the prevalence with socioeconomic indices, Gross Domestic Product and Human Development Index by the geoprocessing technique showed no positive correlation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HCV infection was 0.7%. The independent risk factors for HCV infection were age, InDU, Gluconergan® and hemodialysis. There was no spatial correlation of HCV prevalence with local economic factors.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cássio Vieira de
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Walnei Fernandes
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Liciana Vaz de Arruda
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Flávia Souza
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Divisão de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Madicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Giovanni Faria
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral