[Epidemiological study of the hepatitis C virus in our population and vaccine coverage].

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological study of patients with chronic hepatitis C and its serological status in relation to the hepatitis A (HA) and B (HB) viruses.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Two urban health centres. Participants. 291 patients with chronic hepatitis C.

VARIABLES

age, sex, year and reason for diagnosis, personal histories, alcohol intake, serological status of the HA and HB viruses and HIV, and initial level of transaminases.

RESULTS

Mean age, 55 +/- 16. Sex, 52% women. Prevalence, 0.98%. Reason for diagnosis, 41% health study, 15% study of hepatic pathology, 18% study of other pathologies. Personal histories, surgical intervention, 37.5%; intravenous drug users, 21.4%; transfusion, 14%; high-risk sexual conduct, 2.4%; health material used more than once, 2.4%; family member HC positive, 1.4%; no personal history recorded, 26.5%. Alcoholism, 17.9%. Mean transaminases: AST, 79.7 +/- 100 (9-920); ALT, 114.8 +/- 160 (6-1640). HB serological status: natural immunity, 22%; chronic, 9%; vaccine immunity, 3%; negative, 44%; not recorded, 21%. HA serological status: natural immunity, 2%; vaccine immunity, 2.5%; negative, 9%; not recorded, 87%. HIV-positive: 4.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence was below the expected level. Knowledge of serological status needs to be improved, especially for HA. The degree of vaccine coverage in these patients for HA and HB should be increased.