Risk factors for acquisition of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors: results of a case-control study
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donors is primarily linked to intravenous drug use, prison stays, and blood transfusions. Sexual contact with an infected individual and tattooing also emerged as significant risk factors.
Area Of Science
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in blood transfusion safety.
- Existing research on risk factors for HCV infection among blood donors presents contradictory findings.
- Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies in blood donation settings.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate and identify key risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Canadian volunteer blood donors.
- To clarify the epidemiological profile of HCV infection within the blood donor population.
- To provide evidence for targeted screening and prevention efforts.
Main Methods
- A case-control study was conducted across four transfusion centers.
- 267 anti-HCV-positive donors (cases) were interviewed alongside 1068 seronegative donors (controls), matched for key demographic and donation variables.
- Conditional logistic regression was employed for univariate and multivariate analyses to determine odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for identified risk factors.
Main Results
- Univariate analysis revealed 23 variables associated with anti-HCV positivity.
- Multivariate analysis identified five independent predictors of HCV infection: previous intravenous drug use (OR, 127.5), history of incarceration (OR, 56.1), prior blood transfusion (OR, 10.5), sexual contact with an intravenous drug user (OR, 6.9), and tattooing (OR, 5.7).
- Intravenous drug use demonstrated the strongest association with HCV infection.
Conclusions
- The findings suggest that percutaneous exposure, particularly through intravenous drug use, is the predominant route of HCV acquisition among blood donors.
- The study provides evidence supporting a role for sexual transmission in the spread of HCV within this population.
- These results underscore the importance of addressing risk behaviors to maintain the safety of the blood supply.
View abstract on PubMed