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Hepatitis C in Poland in 2018
Karolina Zakrzewska1, Małgorzata Stępień1, Magdalena Rosińska1
1National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance.
Insights
Hepatitis C surveillance in Poland shows a decrease in reported cases and diagnosis rates in 2018. Targeted prevention and increased testing are crucial for micro-elimination and achieving WHO goals.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Hepatitis C (HCV) remains a significant public health concern.
- Epidemiological surveillance is vital for monitoring disease trends and informing public health strategies.
- Understanding the dynamics of HCV in Poland is essential for effective control measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze epidemiological data on hepatitis C in Poland for 2018.
- To compare 2018 data with previous years to identify trends.
- To assess the impact of surveillance and diagnosis rates on public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of individual surveillance data from 2018.
- Review of diagnosis rates from "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland" bulletins (2012-2018).
- Examination of mortality data related to hepatitis C from the Central Statistical Office.
Main Results:
- A decrease in reported hepatitis C cases (3,442) and diagnosis rate (8.96 per 100,000) was observed in 2018.
- Disparities in diagnosis rates persisted based on sex, place of residence (urban vs. rural), and age groups.
- Medical procedures remained the primary transmission route for HCV infections, including acute cases.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C surveillance in Poland is influenced by testing availability.
- Enhanced primary and secondary prevention activities are needed in specific subpopulations.
- Improving testing access for high-risk and marginalized groups is critical for HCV elimination by 2030.
Objective:
Analysis of data on hepatitis C, collected as part of epidemiological surveillance in 2018, compared to previous years.
Material And Methods:
Analysis of: 1) individual data from surveillance in 2018 2) diagnosis rate from bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland" for the years 2012-2018 and 3) data about deaths due to hepatitis C from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office.
Results:
In 2018, there was a decrease in the number of reported hepatitis C cases (3,442 cases) and the diagnosis rate (8.96 per 100,000; taking into account the territorial distribution: from 3.29 per 100,000 in the Podkarpackie voivodeship to 13.69 per 100,00 in the Lubuskie voivodeship). The disproportion of the rates between the sexes returned (in men 9.34 per 100,000 vs. women: 8.61 per 100,000). The disproportion of the diagnosis rate depending on the place of residence was still evident (urban: 10.84 per 100,000 vs. rural: 6.12 per 100,000). There are differences in the values of the diagnosis rates, analyzed in terms of gender, age groups and the place of residence. Based on the EU definition, 14 acute hepatitis C were reported, while according to the PL definition, 88 cases (0.4% and 2.6% of all reported cases, respectively). HCV infections due to medical procedures are still the main route of transmission, also in cases of acute hepatitis C - which indicates the current route of transmission. According to the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office, 119 deaths related to hepatitis C were reported.
Conclusions:
For years, the general picture of hepatitis C in Poland, observed through epidemiological surveillance, is determined by the availability of testing for HCV infections. The analysis identified subpopulations in which primary prevention activities (e.g. safer medical procedures, intensifying activities in the area of harm reduction for people who inject drugs) as well as secondary prevention (access to testing and quick inclusion in treatment) should be particularly strengthened. According to the micro-elimination strategy, the improvement of testing in particularly affected groups, including marginalized populations, is necessary to achieve the WHO goal of eliminating HCV by 2030.
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