Seroprevalence and Knowledge Assessment of Hepatitis C Disease among Household (HH) Contacts of Hepatitis C Patients,
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- Category: Vol. 84, March 2016
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Seroprevalence and Knowledge Assessment of Hepatitis C Disease among Household (HH) Contacts of Hepatitis C Patients, REHAB A. AHMED, ARWA M. HOSNI EL-SHAFEI, OMAR A. ABOU EL-ATA, DOUAA A. EL-DERWI and HOWAIDA H. EL-DUSOKI
Abstract
Aim: The main aim this study is to identify seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among Household (HH) contacts of hepatitis C PCR positive patients and to evaluate the degree of awareness of HH contacts by modes of transmission of virus C and clinical picture of hepatitis C.
Methods: The study conducted at Theodore Bilharz Re-search Institute, through the period January 2011 till March 2014. The study design included two components. An initial Cross sectional design was functioned to include 400 HH contacts of 331 hepatitis C patients (PCR positive). While an interventional design was used to increase the knowledge of identified HH contacts about modes of transmission and clinical picture of hepatitis C.
Results: Seroprevalence of hepatitis C among the 400 HH contacts recruited in the study was 13.3%. Nearly 18% of HH contacts didn't ever hear about HCV. The most important sources of receiving information about hepatitis was medical personnel 40.6%, where the least contribution came from educational sector and the radio with 1.7% and 2.4% respec-tively.
Conclusion: Seroprevalence among HH contacts (13.3%) unsatisfactory awareness among contacts by nature of HCV, modes of transmission or clinical picture, as nearly 18% percent of contacts had never heard about HCV, support screening strategies targeting HH contacts of HCV patients for early diagnosis and treatment.