Knowledge and perceptions of hepatitis C infection and pesticides use in two rural villages in Egypt.

Doa’A A Saleh,Sania Amr,Judy Huei-Yu Wang,Irene A Jillson,Christopher A Loffredo,Walaa A Khairy

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-501

Abstract

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal types of malignancy, is increasing worldwide, and particularly in Egypt where there is a confluence of its contributing factors, including high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, widespread use of pesticides, and diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rural areas. We investigated knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices related to HCV infection and pesticides use in rural Egypt, where over half of the population resides and agriculture is the predominant occupation.MethodsFrom two rural villages we recruited 67 residents aged 18–80 years, who completed a 40-item survey that included questions about demographics, knowledge of and protective measures relevant to pesticides use in the home and in agriculture, awareness and perceptions of HCV infection and its treatment and prevention.ResultsAmong the 67 study participants, gender distribution was equal, the mean age was 47.2, and one third never attended school. More than 50% reported using pesticides at home, but fewer reported having some knowledge about its health effects. Twelve participants were agricultural workers, and 11 of them applied pesticides in the field and knew about their toxicity; however only one person was correctly using the appropriate protective equipment. Among all the participants, 52 did not know what causes HCV infection, and 42 of those who knew it was a virus mentioned incorrect modes of transmission; and 30 did not know the disease manifestations.ConclusionIn rural Egypt, there is a significant lack of knowledge of HCV infection and its transmission mode and limited use of protective measures against pesticides despite familiarity with these chemicals.

Highlights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal types of malignancy, is increasing worldwide, and in Egypt where there is a confluence of its contributing factors, including high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, widespread use of pesticides, and diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rural areas
Egypt suffers from the world’s highest prevalence of HCV infection - up to 24% in rural areas [9] - and intrafamilial spread of HCV has been documented as one of the most important routes of transmission [11,12] leading to the current estimated burden of 10 million infected Egyptians. Added to this burden is the widespread use of pesticides as well as diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 in rural areas, where over half of the Egyptian population resides and agriculture is the predominant occupation
We evaluated the knowledge and perceptions of HCV infection and pesticides use in two communities in rural Egypt

Summary

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal types of malignancy, is increasing worldwide, and in Egypt where there is a confluence of its contributing factors, including high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, widespread use of pesticides, and diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rural areas. Egypt suffers from the world’s highest prevalence of HCV infection - up to 24% in rural areas [9] - and intrafamilial spread of HCV has been documented as one of the most important routes of transmission [11,12] leading to the current estimated burden of 10 million infected Egyptians Added to this burden is the widespread use of pesticides as well as diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 in rural areas, where over half of the Egyptian population resides and agriculture is the predominant occupation. Given the large reservoir of HCV in Egypt and the country’s high fertility rate when compared to developed countries, its society faces an increasing burden of patients who acquire the virus in childhood or young adulthood, placing them at greater risk of developing HCC later in their lives

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