%0 Journal Article
%T Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among General Population in Central Region of Yemen
%A Rajesh N. Gacche
%A Sadiq K. Al-Mohani
%J Hepatitis Research and Treatment
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/689726
%X Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major worldwide public health problem. Though several studies from Yemen have provided an estimate of the prevalence of this viral infection, there exist only few studies which reflect the status in the general population. Aim. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C infection among general population in central region of Yemen. Methods. The study population comprised 2,379 apparently healthy subjects who were screened for hepatitis C antibodies (HCV Abs) status using ELISA quantitative technique. Seroprevalence rate of seropositive subjects was calculated and stratified by age, sex, educational level, and monthly income. Results. The study showed that out of 2,379 subjects, 31 (1.3%) were HCV Abs positive. Higher prevalence of HCV Abs was found among females, 24 (1.01%), than males, 7 (0.29%). The age specific prevalence rose from 00 (0.00%) in subjects aged ¡Ü14 years to a maximum of 9 (0.38%) in subjects aged ¡Ý55 years. The prevalence of HCV Abs was more prevalent in illiterate subjects and increased with decreasing monthly income. Conclusion. It was found that variables including age and educational level were significantly associated with HCV Ab positivity and not associated with gender and monthly income. 1. Introduction Hepatitis C virus has been considered to be one of the most potential pathogens that have hindered the medical community all over the world. Indeed, since its discovery in 1989, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized as a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and due to the surpassing hepatitis B virus [1]. HCV represents a major health problem with approximately 3% of the world population, that is, more than 170 million people infected. While only 20¨C30% of individuals exposed to HCV recover spontaneously, the remaining 70¨C80% develop chronic HCV infection. Moreover, 3¨C11% of those people will develop liver cirrhosis within 20 years, with associated risks of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [2]. It is now widely recognized as one of the common aetiological agents for cirrhosis of the liver. It is the leading cause of liver transplantation and the most common chronic blood borne infection in developed countries like the USA [3]. The socioeconomic impact of HCV infection is therefore tremendous, and the burden of the disease is expected to increase around the world as the disease progresses in patients who contracted HCV years ago. Since the discovery of HCV more than 20 years ago, epidemiological studies have described
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/heprt/2012/689726/