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Hepatitis C prevalence--a nationwide serosurvey
Janiki Amin1, Heather Gidding, Gwendolyn Gilbert
1National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales. jamin@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report
|March 5, 2005
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in Australia is estimated at 2.3% based on a national serosurvey. This finding is crucial for healthcare planning and understanding disease trends.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C is Australia's most common notified disease.
- Previous estimates projected 210,000 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections by 2001.
- Population-based serosurveys are needed to validate infection estimates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate HCV prevalence using national serosurvey data.
- To validate previous projections of HCV infection in Australia.
- To establish baseline data for monitoring HCV incidence trends.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,800 sera collected opportunistically between 1996-1998.
- Testing sera for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies.
- Assessment of national HCV notifications from 1991-1998.
Main Results:
- Age-standardised HCV antibody prevalence was 2.3% (95% CI 1.8%-2.9%).
- The 20-24 year age group showed the highest prevalence (5.3%).
- Seroprevalence was approximately three times higher than cumulative HCV notifications.
Conclusions:
- The serosurvey provides a more accurate estimate of Australian HCV prevalence.
- Findings suggest injecting drug use is the primary transmission route.
- Low prevalence in older age groups indicates a limited pool of undiagnosed infections.