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Electronic matching of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C surveillance registries in three states
Suzanne Speers1, R Monina Klevens, Candace Vonderwahl
1Connecticut Department of Public Health, HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis Surveillance Program, Hartford, CT 06134-0308, USA. Suzanne.speers@ct.gov
Insights
Co-infection with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common in high-risk populations. Matching surveillance data revealed significant co-infection rates, highlighting public health needs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) share transmission routes, particularly percutaneous exposure.
- High-risk populations often face exposure to both viruses, necessitating understanding of co-infection prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of co-infection between HIV/AIDS and HCV.
- To characterize individuals coinfected with HIV/AIDS and HCV in Colorado, Connecticut, and Oregon.
Main Methods:
- Matched HCV and HIV/AIDS surveillance databases from three states (Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon) through June 30, 2008.
- Utilized record linkage software (Link King) for initial matching, followed by manual review of all potential matches.
Main Results:
- HCV co-infection rates among HIV/AIDS cases were 4.4% (Oregon), 9.7% (Colorado), and 23.6% (Connecticut).
- HIV/AIDS co-infection rates among HCV cases were 1.8% (Oregon), 1.9% (Colorado), and 4.9% (Connecticut).
Conclusions:
- Electronic matching of public health registries is an efficient method for data transfer and analysis.
- Understanding co-infection burden is crucial for targeted prevention and medical care strategies for both HIV/AIDS and HCV.
Objectives:
Both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted through percutaneous exposure to blood in similar high-risk populations. HCV and HIV/AIDS surveillance databases were matched in Colorado, Connecticut, and Oregon to measure the frequency of co-infection and to characterize coinfected people.
Methods:
We defined a case of HCV infection as a person with a reactive antibody for hepatitis C, medical diagnosis, positive viral-load test result, or positive genotype reported to any of three state health departments from the start of each state's hepatitis C registry through June 30, 2008. We defined a case of HIV/AIDS as a person diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS at the start of each state's respective hepatitis C registry through June 30, 2008. HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C datasets were matched using Link King, public domain record linkage and consolidation software, and all potential matches were manually reviewed before acceptance as a match.
Results:
The proportion of reported hepatitis C cases co-infected with HIV/ AIDS was 1.8% in Oregon, 1.9% in Colorado, and 4.9% in Connecticut. Conversely, the proportion of HIV/AIDS cases co-infected with hepatitis C was consistently higher in the three states: 4.4% in Oregon, 9.7% in Colorado, and 23.6% in Connecticut.
Conclusions:
Electronic matching of registries is a potentially useful and efficient way to transfer information from one registry to another. In addition, it can provide a measure of the public health burden of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C co-infection and provide insight into prevention and medical care needs for respective states.
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