PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG GENERAL POPULATION IN LUXOR GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the hepatitis viruses that transmitted through blood or blood products. HCV has been implicated as a major reason of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies among community in Luxor governorate, Egypt. Moreover to assess if there is any association with the population group, sex, age and other different risk factors. Patients and methods: We randomly selected 745 blood samples; from males and females of different ages (20-65 years). Samples were collected from Luxor governorate, Egypt. Seras from all subjects were tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies using rapid test method and confirmed by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA third generation). Results: Our results showed that 584 (78.40 %) of the community were males and most of them aged between 31 and 50 years. Thirty two (5.48%) from blood samples of males were anti-HCV seropositive, and the highest prevalence of anti-HCV (7.22%) of age groups from 41-50 years. One hundred and sixty one (21.60%) from the community were female and most of them aged between 41 - 65 years. Six (3.73%) of female subjects tested positive for anti-HCV and the highest prevalence of anti-HCV (4.87%) was with age groups from 31-40 years. Four risk factors reflecting high mechanisms of HCV transmission have been associated with HCV infection including residing in rural areas, no education, blood transfusion, and dental treatment. Exposures to surgery and history of schistosomiasis showed low association with Anti-HCV. Among the community exposures, were blood donation and alcohol consumption but these associations were not important. Conclusion: This study has been conducted to determine the prevalence rate of anti-HCV among community in Luxor governorate, Egypt.