[Analysis of the Provincial- and Municipal-level Hepatitis C Incidence Rates and Trends in the Honam Region,...

The World Health Organization has proposed the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis infection by 2030. Policy research and projects to reduce the incidence rate are ongoing in local governments where hepatitis C infection is common. However, a clear basis for decision-making is required at the regional level. Therefore, Honam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention intends to determine the incidence rate and trend of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by municipal levels in the Honam region, where HCV infection is prevalent. The analysis of data reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in the Honam region from June 3, 2017, to December 31, 2021, revealed that the incidence rate of HCV infection in the Honam region was the highest in 2018 and the lowest in 2021. It varied by up to 1.9 times in cities and provinces and 74.9 times in municipalities. The result of join point regression analysis revealed a statistically significant decreasing trend during the mandatory surveillance period. In addition, there were differences in the incidence rates of HCV infection in the Honam region according to the cities, provinces, municipalities units and gender. The statistical indices can be selected and combined according to the policy direction or objectives of the local government. Hopefully, these findings will serve as an objective basis for making decisions necessary to prevent and manage HCV infection in the Honam region.