Abstract
Context: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the association of tattooing with the risk of hepatitis C infection. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search was performed in Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google scholar, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PubMed up to May 2017. To analyze the data using random effect, odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each study. We also determined publication bias and heterogeneity among the 162 extracted articles. Results: We included 163 relevant studies out of the 2353 extracted studies into the meta-analysis process. When all studies were included in the meta-analysis, the association between tattooing and risk of hepatitis C transmission was strongly significant (pooled OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 2.46 - 3.18). Subgroup analysis showed the strongest association between tattooing and the risk of hepatitis C among samples from blood donors groups (OR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.80 - 5.98). Conclusions: This meta-analysis study revealed that tattooing is strongly associated with transmission of hepatitis C in all subgroups. Relevant education is recommended for young adults who are more likely to get tattoos as well as for prison inmates who have demonstrated high prevalence of hepatitis C infection. In addition, it seems necessary to implement prevention programs and enforce guidelines for safer tattooing practices in tattoo parlors in order to prevent hepatitis C transmission.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.