title: Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda.
abstract: In Rwanda, the prevalence of viral hepatitis (HCV) is poorly understood. The current study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in Rwanda. A total of 324 patients attending Rwanda Military Hospital were randomly selected and a questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors. Blood was collected and screened for anti-HCV antibodies and seropositive samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction method. Hematology abnormalities in the HCV infected patients were also investigated. Anti-HCV antibody and active HCV infection were found in 16.0% and 9.6% of total participants, respectively. Prevalence was highest (28.4%; 19/67) among participants above 55 years and least (2.4%; 3/123) among younger participants (18-35 years). There was a significant (P= 0.031) relationship between place of residence and HCV infection with residents of Southern Province having significantly higher prevalence. The hematological abnormalities observed in the HCV infected patients included leukopenia (48.4%; 15/52), neutropenia (6.5%; 2/52), and thrombocytopenia (25.8%; 8/52). The HCV infection was significantly higher in the older population (>55 years) and exposure to injection from traditional practitioners was identified as a significant (P= 0.036) risk factor of infection. Further studies to determine the factors causing the high prevalence of HCV in Rwanda are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI), Pan African University, P.O. Box 6200-00200, Nairobi, Kenya; Rwanda Military Hospital, P.O. Box 3377, Kanombe, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors.forename: Esperance
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Umumararungu
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Military Hospital, P.O. Box 3377, Kanombe, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ntaganda
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI), Pan African University, P.O. Box 6200-00200, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: John
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5513-2113
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kagira
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI), Pan African University, P.O. Box 6200-00200, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7577-5140
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012432:Rwanda / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral