The diagnosis of hepatitis C in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine clinic

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 847-849
Author(s):  
A R Markos

A retrospective casenote study was conducted to examine the risk factors for patients who were diagnosed as hepatitis C (HCV)-positive (between 1999 and 2001) in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine (GUM) setting in Staffordshire, UK. There was a remarkable escalation in the number of reported HCV-positive cases, year on year, in our study. The majority of the positive cases (20/21) gave a history of previous intravenous drug use (IVDU). The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were reportedly high in our HCV-positive patients. The increasing number of reported HCV-positive cases in the GUM clinic of the semirural Staffordshire setting, may reflect a national pattern that needs further investigations. We advise that HCV serology should be offered to GUM clients (who have a history of IVDU), and to their sex partners. They should also be advised to take tests to exclude other STDs. The case for offering HCV serology as a routine test for patients who request 'the exclusion of STDs' is still undecided.

Sexual Health ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengyi Jin ◽  
Garrett P. Prestage ◽  
Catherine M. Pell ◽  
Basil Donovan ◽  
Paul G. Van de Ven ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A (HAV) and B (HBV) infection and vaccination in HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney, and associated risk factors. Methods: An open prospective cohort study was conducted among a community-based sample of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney in 2001–02. Participants underwent a face-to-face interview, regarding demographics, sexual behavioural risk factors and sexually transmitted infections, and blood samples were collected. They were followed annually. Results: Nine hundred and three men completed a baseline interview by the end of 2002. Among them, 68% were seropositive to hepatitis A. The seroprevalence of prior hepatitis B infection was 19%, and 53% had serological evidence of HBV vaccination. Younger men were much more likely to be seronegative, with 48% and 46% of <25-year-olds being seronegative to HAV and HBV respectively. In multivariate analysis HAV and HBV infection were associated with increasing age, greater number of lifetime sex partners and HBV infection was also associated with previous sexually transmitted infections. HAV vaccination was associated with increasing age, greater number of lifetime sex partners, overseas travel in the last year and self-reported anogenital warts. HBV vaccination was associated with higher occupational status, greater lifetime number of sex partners and previous sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: Substantial proportions of gay community attached young homosexual men are still at risk of HAV and HBV infection. This study points to a need for vaccination strategies which ensure high levels of hepatitis A and B immunity in young sexually active gay men.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 383-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
F I Bastos ◽  
C M Lowndes ◽  
M Derrico ◽  
L R Castello-Branco ◽  
M I Linhares-De-Carvalho ◽  
...  

A survey was carried out in 2 drug use treatment centres (TCs) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess risk behaviours, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections/blood-borne infections (STIs/BBIs). Two hundred and twenty-five drug users (195 males and 30 females) were interviewed and clinically examined, and their blood and urine were tested for STIs/BBIs. Prevalences (%) for these infections were as follows - HIV: 0.9, hepatitis B virus (HBV): 14.7, hepatitis C virus (HCV): 5.8, syphilis: 5.3, gonorrhoea/chlamydia (CT/NG): 4.7. In bivariate analyses CT/NG infection was associated with younger age ( P =0.003); current genitourinary symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=6.2) and a mainly illegal source of income (OR= 9.1). Hepatitis C infection was associated with a history of ever having injected any drug (OR=19.6), and with each one of the injected drugs. After multiple logistic regression, lower educational level (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.70) and 'ever having injected drugs' (AOR=3.69) remained as independent risk factors for hepatitis B infection. In conclusion, TCs must implement programmes directed towards the prevention of STIs/BBIs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maira Libertad Soligo Takemoto ◽  
Mariane de Oliveira Menezes ◽  
Carla Betina Andreucci Polido ◽  
Débora de Souza Santos ◽  
Valeria Marli Leonello ◽  
...  

Our aim was to systematically review data about the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women and to suggest strategies to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A search strategy for lesbian, STI and bacterial vaginosis was applied to PubMed, LILACS and BDENF databases. Of 387 unique references retrieved, 22 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (cross-sectional studies reporting prevalence for 8 STIs/bacterial vaginosis and history of a STI). The most frequent infection reported was bacterial vaginosis, and none study reported data on hepatitis B. A wide range of prevalence was observed for most infections. In terms of risk factors, the number of sexual partners, the past or current smoking, a history of forced sex and sexual stigma seem to increase the risk of STI and bacterial vaginosis. The findings of this review are discussed considering guidelines directly addressing the LGBT community’s health and relevant studies investigating both safe sexual practices and the intricate relationship between LGBT people and their care providers. A set of recommendations to improve preventive care for lesbian women is proposed. Affirming that little is known about the extent of STIs and bacterial vaginosis transmission in female-to-female sexual activities or about the risk factors for STI and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women is reasonable. In fact, the overall quality of the studies was low or very low with significant uncertainty around their findings. However, we consider that the available knowledge indicates some paths to be followed by care providers and policy decision-makers to improve their actions towards better sexual health of lesbian women.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalwa Javed Farooqi ◽  
Farhat Rehana Malik ◽  
Kanza Javed Farooqi ◽  
Owais Mudassar

Abstract Background; Viral hepatitis causes devastating health issues to everyone globally and specifically the most vulnerable groups like pregnant ladies. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus infection with univariate association of virus seropositivity among pregnant women and comparison of public with private hospital data.Study Design; An Unmatched Case Control Pilot Study.Place and Duration; Gynaecology wards of Two Public Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar and equal number of Private clinics, from September- 2018 to February- 2019.Methods; This study enrolled 21 cases and controls as 1:1 ratio via consecutive sampling. A validated questionnaire was used. Cases included were HBsAg and ELISA positive HCV females, while anti HBsAg and Anti HCV ELISA negative were the controls. The collected data was entered and analysed in SPSS version- 19. Descriptive statistics were computed by frequency and percentages while inferential statistics through Odd ratio and 95% confidence interval. P value cut of limit was set at <0.05. Results; The mean age was 37±9 for the cases and 28±6 years for controls respectively. The risk factors with increase occurrence of disease were past history of abortion OR=1.23 (95% Cl=0.34-4.35), past hospitalization OR=2.90 (Cl=0.77-10.8), past surgical procedure OR=3.69 (Cl=0.81-16.6), dental extraction OR=1.25 (Cl=0.33-4.63), delivery in hospital OR=4.26 (Cl=1.13-16.05), injection in hospitals OR=1.47 (Cl=0.43-5.04), household contact with jaundice OR=5.66 (Cl=1.41-22.7). Normal vaginal delivery OR=1.96 (Cl=0.51-7.48) and history of sexually transmitted infections OR=2.23 (Cl=0.36-13.7) were independently associated with HBV, HCV.Conclusion; Iatrogenic exposures of injections, blood transfusions, tooth extractions, home deliveries with past history of sexually transmitted infections, abortion, hepatitis infection and hospital admissions were the risk factors among the pregnant women.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1248-1256
Author(s):  
Marguerite M. Mayers ◽  
Katherine Davenny ◽  
Ellie E. Schoenbaum ◽  
Anat R. Feingold ◽  
Peter A. Selwyn ◽  
...  

A prospective study was conducted in the Bronx, New York, of 70 infants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (n = 33) and uninfected (n = 37) mothers who had a history of intravenous drug use or of intravenous drug-using sex partners. Infants were observed from birth to a median age of 23 months (range 3 to 54 months). HIV infection was confirmed in seven infants (21%) of seropositive mothers; six developed HIV disease, with symptoms observed in the first year. Of these, three died (3, 9, and 36 months) of HIV-related causes; 3 of 4 survivors were &gt;25 months of age. HIV symptoms preceded or were concurrent with abnormalities in T-lymphocyte subsets; postneonatal polymerase chain reaction confirmed HIV infection in five infants with symptoms and one without symptoms. Among infants of seropositive mothers, seven without laboratory evidence of HIV (including polymerase chain reaction) had findings suggestive of HIV infection, including persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, oral candidiasis, parotitis, and inverted T-lymphocyte ratios. These findings were not observed in infants of seronegative mothers. Although the presence of HIV proviral sequences was associated with HIV disease, the observation of indeterminate symptoms in at-risk infants indicates the importance of long-term clinical follow-up to exclude HIV infection. Disease manifestations in comparable infants of seronegative mothers are important for assessment of the impact of maternal drug use, development of specific clinical criteria for early diagnosis of HIV and eligibility for antiretroviral therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (13) ◽  
pp. 1238-1246
Author(s):  
Mohammad Rifat Haider ◽  
Caroline Kingori ◽  
Monique J Brown ◽  
Michele Battle-Fisher ◽  
Ilana Azulay Chertok

Young people aged 15–24 years account for half of all new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations of factors linked to STIs among US young adults (18–25 years). This study used the 2015–2018 pooled National Survey on Drug Use and Health data on 55,690 young adults. Almost 3.4% of the respondents reported having an STI in the past year. Among the participants, 38.4% used illicit drugs and 3.7% reported a history of delinquency in the past year. In the survey-weighted logistic regression model, odds for contracting STIs in the preceding year was higher among adults aged 22–25 versus 18–21 years (OR:1.26, 95%CI:1.12–1.42); male versus female (OR:2.44, 95%CI:2.11–2.82); non-Hispanic African American versus non-Hispanic White (OR:1.77, 95%CI:1.55–2.02); widowed/separated/divorced (OR:1.93, 95%CI:1.36–2.75) and never married (OR:1.29, 95%CI:1.07–1.55) versus married; full-time/part-time employed (aOR:1.17, 95% CI:1.04–1.31) compared to unemployed/other; history of delinquency (OR:2.31, 95%CI:1.89–2.83); and use of illicit drugs in the last year (OR:3.10, 95%CI:2.77–3.47). High incidence of illicit drug use by the young adults and its strong association with STI incidence in recent years warrant special attention. Tailored preventive measures should be focused on key predictors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-770
Author(s):  
Zahra Mohtasham-Amiri ◽  
Seyed Mahmoud Rezvani ◽  
Farhad Ashoori ◽  
Mohsen Behboodi ◽  
Hasan Toosi ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver failure and liver transplantation. The known risk factors of this disease include blood transfusion, injection drug use, high risk sexual behaviors, tattoos, and use of shared blades and syringes. Due to the higher risk of viral hepatitis among people in prison, this study was done to find the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and associated risk factors in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Methods: Prisoners in Lakan Prison underwent a cross-sectional study in 2018. A questionnaire containing demographic information and risk factors was distributed to the inmates and they were asked complete them. High-risk individuals were selected and a blood sample was taken and tested. Data were collected and analyzed by SPSS18 software. Results: Out of 2215 prisoners, 1238 people had at least one risk factor, of whom 408 individuals were selected by random sampling. One hundred inmates were positive for anti-HCV antibody, yielding a prevalence of 24.5% (95% CI: 20.4%–28.7%) of whom 42.6% were people who injected drugs and 4 cases were found positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen, yielding a 1% prevalence (95% CI, 0.2%–2%.). A history of injecting drug use (OR 4.28, 95% CI: 2.55–7.17), and previous history of imprisonment (OR 2.94, 95% CI: 1.34–6.53) had association with HCV infection. Conclusion: The present study shows that hepatitis C is prevalent in prisons and preventive and screening programs should be implemented with necessary training for inmates.


1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Préfontaine ◽  
RK Chaudhary ◽  
RG Mathias

The factors associated with infection with hepatitis B (hbv) and C viruses (hcv) were studied in residents of correctional institutions in British Columbia. Four hundred and fifteen residents volunteered to participate in this study. Among 415 residents tested, 28% were positive forhvborhcvmarkers. Sixty-five per cent of the residents positive forhbvmarkers were also infected withhcv. However, inhbv-negative residents, only 14% were positive for antibody tohcv(anti-hcv). The highest rates forhbvandhcvwere in 25- to 44-year-old residents. The analysis of risk factors and infection predictors in 354 residents showed that intravenous drug use and history of hepatitis were associated with infection with bothhbvandhcv. The relative risk forhbvin intravenous drug users was 4.4 times that in nonusers; forhcvrelative risk was 3.4 times. In the group with history of hepatitis, the relative risk was 6.2 and 4.5 times forhbvandhcv, respectively. The multivariate analysis of the data showed that both intravenous drug use and a history of hepatitis were significant (P<0.0001). Tattooing or history of transfusion was not associated with increased risk forhcv, but tattooing and age were significant factors forhbv.


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