Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Prevalence and Risk of Unsafe Parenteral Practices in Derqui, Argentine

Background Hepatitis C virus HCV epidemiology and risk factor RF contribution in Argentina can be improved with prevalence studies addressing unsafe injections in health care settings Study purpose was to estimate a defined population prevalence of HCV and to assess RF exposure for HCV including potential impact of Health Care Unsafe Parenteral Practices HC UPP Design A cluster survey of HCV seroprevalence in Derqui a representative community of Buenos Aires province Argentina Methods all age individuals selected by probabilistic polyetapic sampling were surveyed collecting demographic socioeconomic status SES and risk factor exposure data for HCV HCV antibodies were determined by MEIA blood assay HC UPP was defined as a Ever received an injection with a glass syringe or b Have undergone surgery or more times before a period of heavy utilization of re used equipment in health care facilities Age specific prevalence rates were obtained The association of HC UPP with HCV adjusted for known HCV risk factors I V illicit drug use IV DU health care occupation any surgery transfusion history and imprisonment was tested by logistic regression model STATA and the population attributable fraction PAF was calculated Results A young population under years old of low SES was found HCV seroprevalence was CI highest among ages yrs Risk factor prevalence for HCV was surgery reported an injection with a glass syringe were operated on or more times received blood transfusions had worked in healthcare Only of community based individuals reported IV DU and individuals reported history of being in prison HC UPP occurred in and was associated with HCV OR CI p IV DU showed a trend to increased risk OR CI p PAF for HC UPP was CI Conclusion HCV prevalence was lower than the estimated for LAC HC UPP was associated to HCV with high population impact