[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and cohabiting contacts].

OBJECTIVES

Study of the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection and of cohabiting contacts.

DESIGN

A descriptive crossover study.

SETTING

Health District.

PATIENTS: There were a total of 13,500 people with histories opened at our centre. The histories of patients attending for general medical consultations between January 1995 and December 1996 were reviewed for Ac+ to the Hepatitis C (HC) virus.

RESULTS

145 patients were found to be Ac positive for HC (1.07%; CI, 0.9-1.2). 135 were index cases and 10 contacts. The most important items of history were intravenous drug use in 33 carriers (23%), transfusion in 22 (15%), contact with non-disposable material in 97 (67%) and surgery in 119 (82%). 115 (79%) of those infected had Transaminase disorder (< x10).

CONCLUSIONS

The 1.07% prevalence found was similar to other studies. Previous surgery stood out among the factors causing risk of infection. Prevalence among cohabitants was 7%, half through sexual contacts. Since there was a higher prevalence of HC+ among family members (50% sexual partners), we believe the study should be extended and followed up in the family environment.