Prevalence of hepatitis C and risk factors in a village in Puyang, Henan

Objective To understand the prevalence of hepatitis C and related risk factors in a village in Puyang, Henan province, and provide evidence for the development of control and treatment measures. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted to learn about the local prevalence pattern of hepatitis C and non matched case control study and univariate analysis were conducted to know the risk factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Questionnaire survey about risk factors was conducted among the people recruited in the survey and blood samples were collected from them to detect the serological markers of hepatitis B and C virus infections. Genotype of hepatitis C virus was detected too. Results Twenty six people were recruited in case group and 41 in control group. The risk of HCV infection in people with histories of previous surgery and syringe sharing in case group was higher than those without these exposures in control group (OR=3.03, POR=12.30, P=0.01). The HCV RNA positive rate in case group was 61.54%. Four genotypes of HCV were detected, type 1b accounted for 69.23%, type 6a accounted for 15.38% and type 2a and 3a accounted for 7.69% respectively. Conclusion The infection rate of HCV was high in this village. The infection might be caused through multi routes, non strict surgical sterilization and syringe sharing were the major risk factors. Gastroscopy might be the risk factor for HCV type 6a infection.