title: Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR, 1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were significant in the univariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals and the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jang Rak
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: So Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Youn-Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Medical Administration, Suncheon Jeil College, Suncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Myeong Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Control and Policy, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeong Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Control and Policy, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Moran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ki
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Case-control studies; Hepacivirus; Korea; Risk factors