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Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among blood donors in southern Brazil: a case-control study
Ajacio B M Brandão1, Sandra Costa Fuchs
1Department of Internal Medicine, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. ajacio@via-rs.net
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) risk factors in Brazilian blood donors include intravenous drug use, past blood transfusions, and tattooing. Sexual transmission of HCV is also a potential concern.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 2.5-4.9% of the Brazilian population, with 3.9-7.6 million chronic carriers.
- HCV infection is linked to chronic liver disease in 20-58% of Brazilian patients.
- This study investigates risk factors for anti-HCV antibodies in southern Brazilian blood donors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with anti-HCV antibody positivity in blood donors.
- To understand the epidemiology of HCV in a specific Brazilian population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 178 anti-HCV positive blood donors (cases) and 356 negative donors (controls).
- Data collected via standardized questionnaire on demographics, behaviors, and medical history.
- Logistic regression and odds ratios used for statistical analysis with P < 0.05 significance.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of anti-HCV among blood donors was 1.1%.
- Independent predictors for anti-HCV positivity included intravenous drug use, blood transfusion over 10 years prior, multiple sexually transmitted diseases, incarceration, and tattooing.
- Sexual contact with HCV carriers or intravenous drug users was also a significant factor.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, and tattooing are primary risk factors for HCV positivity in southern Brazilian blood donors.
- Sexual transmission of HCV warrants consideration in this population.
- Findings highlight key areas for targeted prevention and screening efforts.
Background:
In Brazil, it is estimated that between 2.5 and 4.9% of the general population present anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, which corresponds to as many as 3.9 to 7.6 million chronic carriers. Chronic liver disease is associated with HCV infection in 20% to 58% of the Brazilian patients. The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the risk factors for presence of anti-HCV antibody in blood donors in southern Brazil.
Methods:
One hundred and seventy eight blood donors with two positive ELISA results for anti-HCV were cases, and 356 controls tested negative. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data concerning demographic and socioeconomic aspects, history of previous hepatitis infection, social and sexual behaviors, and number of donations. Variables were grouped into sets of hierarchical categories. Cases and controls were compared using logistic regression, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. The statistical significance of the associations was assessed through likelihood ratio tests based on a P value < 0.05.
Results:
The prevalence of anti-HCV among blood donors was 1.1%. Most of the donors were white and males. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of anti-HCV positivity were: intravenous drug use, blood transfusion >10 years earlier, having had two to four sexually transmitted diseases, incarceration, tattooing, sex with a hepatitis B or C virus carrier or with intravenous drug users.
Conclusion:
Intravenous drug use, blood transfusion, and tattooing were the main risk factors for anti-HCV positivity among blood donors from southern Brazil, but sexual HCV transmission should also be considered.
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