Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Suzhou, Jiangsu, 2016−2022

  Objective  To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Suzhou from 2016 to 2022, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of hepatitis C.

  Methods  The incidence data of hepatitis C in Suzhou from 2016 to 2022 were collected for a descriptive epidemiological analysis on the distributions of hepatitis C cases in Suzhou. The differences in incidence of hepatitis C among different groups were compared with χ² test with P<0.05 indicating significant difference.

  Results  From 2016 to 2022, a total of 2777 cases of hepatitis C were reported in Suzhou, with an incidence rate of 3.14/100 000, showing an increasing trend by year. Hepatitis C was reported all the year round with no obvious seasonality（M=0.100）. The incidence of hepatitis C was higher in main urban area than that in non-main urban area. The case number and incidence rate of hepatitis C were highest in Gusu district (540 cases, 8.11/100 000). The average annual incidence rate was higher in men (3.27/100 000) than in women (3.00/100 000), the difference was significant (χ²=4.832, P=0.028). The average annual incidence rate was higher in people aged 65– years (5.08/100 000) than in people aged 15–64 years (3.37/100 000), and the difference was significant (χ²=76.603, P<0.001). The cases were mainly the jobless or unemployed (33.71%), farmers (19.81%), workers (14.76%), people engaged in business services (13.90%) and retirees (12.71%).

  Conclusion  From 2016 to 2022, the overall incidence of hepatitis C in Suzhou showed a rise trend. The incidence of hepatitis C showed no seasonality in Suzhou, but the differences in hepatitis C incidence among areas and populations were significant. The incidence of hepatitis C was high in Gusu district. It is necessary to standardize the reporting of hepatitis C in hospitals and strengthen case screening and health education in key populations in areas with high incidence of hepatitis C.