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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2006; 12(30): 4884-4887
Published online Aug 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i30.4884
Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C and its risk factors in Khuzestan Province, South-West of Iran: A case-control study
Eskandar Hajiani, Jalal Hashemi, Rahim Masjedizadeh, Ali Akbar Shayesteh, Esmail Idani, Tahereh Rajabi
Eskandar Hajiani, Jalal Hashemi, Rahim Masjedizadeh, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran
Tahereh Rajabi, Department of Pathology, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran
Ali Akbar Shayesteh, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran
Esmail Idani, Department of Internal Medicine, Ahwaz Jundishapur, University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Eskandar Hajiani, Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Golestan Hospital, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, PO Box 89, Ahwaz, Iran. ehajiani@ajums.ac.ir
Telephone: +98-611-5530222 Fax: +98-611-3340074
Received: August 24, 2005
Revised: September 25, 2005
Accepted: November 18, 2005
Published online: August 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate possible risk factors for the spread of hepatitis C infection and to analyze the characteristics of the epidemiological and clinical patterns among the patients with hepatitis C infection.

METHODS: During a five-year period a cross-sectional study was conducted among HCV positive individuals referred to the Ahwaz JundiShapour University Hospitals (AJSUH) and Hepatitis Clinic from 1 Sept 1999 to 1 Sept 2003. The control group consisted of first time blood donors referred to the Regional Blood Transfusion organization. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and recombinant immunoblot assay anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) tests were performed for two groups. Positive serum specimens were retested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HCV RNA. Risk factors were evaluated using a questionnaire. Reported risk factors among infected subjects (“HCV-positive”) were compared to those of subjects never exposed (“HCV-negative”) to HCV.

RESULTS: A total of 514 subjects were studied for HCV, of which 254 were HCV-positive and 260 HCV-negative donors comprised the control group. Mean age of the patients was 28.4 (Std 15.22) years. HCV-positive subjects were more likely to be of male gender (63% versus 37%). Transfusion 132 (52%), non-intravenous (n-iv) drug abuse and iv drug abuse 37 (14.5%), haemodialysis 25 (10%), receiving wounds at war and extramarital sexual activities (2.4%), tattooing (3.6%) were found to be independent risk factors of being HCV-positive. No apparent risk factors could be demonstrated in 29 (11.2%) of the positive cases.

CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that a history of transfusion and iv drug abuse and haemodialysis are important risk factors for HCV infection in our area and that more careful pretransfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in our blood banks. Improvements in certain lifestyle patterns, and customs in this area may be essential to prevent transmission of the infection.

Keywords: Epidemiological patterns, Hepatitis C virus, Risk factors, South-West of Iran