The relationship between therapeutic injections and high prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Hafizabad, Pakistan

TLDR

The study aimed to assess HCV prevalence and transmission routes in Hafizabad, Pakistan, by sampling residents and identifying infected and uninfected individuals. Researchers sampled 504 households, collecting serum from a randomly chosen member in 309 households (64% participation). HCV prevalence was 6.5%, with higher infection odds linked to more therapeutic injections (odds ratios up to 6.9 for >10 injections per year), underscoring the need for sterile injection practices.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and routes of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Hafizabad, Pakistan, we collected sera in 1993 from a geographically based random sample of residents, and in 1994 identified 15 HCV-infected individuals (cases) and 67 age and sex matched uninfected individuals (controls). Initially we approached 504 households, and collected serum from a randomly selected household member in 309 (64%). Twenty persons (6·5%) had anti-HCV antibody; 31% percent had hepatitis B core antibodies, and 4·3% had hepatitis B surface antigen. In the case-control study, persons who received more therapeutic injections (categorized as averaging 1, 2–4, 5–9 or >10 injections per year in the previous 10 years) were more likely to be infected with HCV (odds ratio 0, 1·5, 2·5 and 6·9 respectively, P =0·008) compared to persons averaging 0 injections per year. Efforts to limit therapeutic injections to only those that are medically indicated and that use sterile equipment are essential in order to prevent transmission of HCV.