Abstract
BackgroundEvidence indicates that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral treatments have recently been reported as successful cures. However, the prevalence rates of HBV or HCV infection, unhealthy behaviors and receipt of adequate treatment in disabled adults have not been described. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of HBV or HCV carriers, receipt of antiviral treatment, and early detection of unhealthy behaviors in disabled adults in Taiwan.MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2013 with 845 community-dwelling adults with disabilities aged >20 years. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, and stepwise regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was 12.9 and 14.1 %, respectively. HCV carriers tended to be older (p < 0.001) and with a lower education (p < 0.001). The majority of HBV/HCV carriers did not know the type of hepatitis infection and did not receive adequate antiviral treatment. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, regression analysis showed that the factors significantly associated with elevated liver function were HCV infection (p < 0.001), HBV infection (p = 0.001), high fasting blood glucose levels (p = 0.001), overweight (p = 0.003), older age (p = 0.027), and alcohol drinking (p = 0.028).ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of HCV infection among adults with disabilities; few received adequate antiviral treatment or early detection of unhealthy behaviors for the prevention of liver cancer. Clinicians can provide health education to help the participants and caregivers better understand the relationships between specific risk factors and liver health and can encourage HBV and HCV carriers to undergo annual physical check-ups and receive adequate treatment, as covered by the national health insurance.
Highlights
Evidence indicates that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
We investigated the prevalence of and relationships between unhealthy behaviors and determinants of liver function among disabled HBV/HCV carriers
Participants and design This study was part of a health promotion program for community-dwelling adults with disabilities led by a nursing team in collaboration with a private hospital and the Bureau of Health Promotion in Chiayi County, Taiwan. This cross-sectional, descriptive study aimed to explore the prevalence of HBV/HCV carriers and receipt of anti-viral treatment in the southwestern coastal area
Summary
Evidence indicates that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence rates of HBV or HCV infection, unhealthy behaviors and receipt of adequate treatment in disabled adults have not been described. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of HBV or HCV carriers, receipt of antiviral treatment, and early detection of unhealthy behaviors in disabled adults in Taiwan. The leading causes of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. In Taiwan, liver cirrhosis and HCC are the most common causes of death, accounting for 34.9 deaths per 100,000 persons [6]. In Taiwan, HCV infection is significantly associated with health disparity and older people in disadvantaged areas [8,9,10]
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