American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 150, No. 1: 58-66
Copyright © 1999 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
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Hepatitis C Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Northern Alberta Dialysis Population
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada
2Department of Medicine—Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada
3Department of Medicine—Nephrology, University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada
4Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an emerging global public health issue with particular relevance in multiply transfused renal dialysis patients. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection among renal dialysis patients in northern Alberta, Canada. Ninety-two percent of eligible patients (n=336) provided informed consent to participate. Participants were interviewed to gather risk factor information and, using multiple logistic regression analysis with exact inference, a predictive model for HCV infection in this population was developed. The prevalence of HCV infection in the population was 6.5%, and all positive patients had at least one identifiable risk factor. The multivariate analysis showed that the risk of HCV infection was greater for those in the 18–55 years age category (odds ratio (OR) = 4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–27.9), patients who had been on dialysis >5 years (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–12.0), and patients who had 2 high risk lifestyle behaviors (OR = 5.0, 95% CI 1.5–16.7). Transfusion prior to 1990 was marginally associated with HCV status (OR = 4.0, 95% CI 0.96–16.3). This study documented previously unreported life-style risk factors for HCV infection in patients with renal failure, confirmed the expected decline in transfusion-acquired HCV infection in this population, and provided evidence against nosocomial transmission of HCV. Am J Epidemiol 1999;150:58–66.
blood transfusion; cross infection; cross-sectional studies; dialysis; hepatitis C virus; prevalence; risk factors
Reprint requests to Dr. Patrick A. Hessel, Department of Public Health Sciences, 13–103 Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada.
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