Gacche Rajesh N, Al-Mohani Sadiq K
Biotechnology Department, School of Life Sciences, S.R.T.M. University, Vishnupuri, Nanded 431606, India.
Hepat Res Treat. 2012;2012:689726. doi: 10.1155/2012/689726. Epub 2012 Dec 18.
Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major worldwide public health problem. Though several studies from Yemen have provided an estimate of the prevalence of this viral infection, there exist only few studies which reflect the status in the general population. Aim. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C infection among general population in central region of Yemen. Methods. The study population comprised 2,379 apparently healthy subjects who were screened for hepatitis C antibodies (HCV Abs) status using ELISA quantitative technique. Seroprevalence rate of seropositive subjects was calculated and stratified by age, sex, educational level, and monthly income. Results. The study showed that out of 2,379 subjects, 31 (1.3%) were HCV Abs positive. Higher prevalence of HCV Abs was found among females, 24 (1.01%), than males, 7 (0.29%). The age specific prevalence rose from 00 (0.00%) in subjects aged ≤14 years to a maximum of 9 (0.38%) in subjects aged ≥55 years. The prevalence of HCV Abs was more prevalent in illiterate subjects and increased with decreasing monthly income. Conclusion. It was found that variables including age and educational level were significantly associated with HCV Ab positivity and not associated with gender and monthly income.
背景。丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）是全球主要的公共卫生问题。尽管也门的多项研究对这种病毒感染的流行率进行了估计，但反映普通人群状况的研究却很少。目的。本研究旨在调查也门中部地区普通人群中丙型肝炎感染的流行率。方法。研究人群包括2379名表面健康的受试者，他们使用ELISA定量技术筛查丙型肝炎抗体（HCV Abs）状态。计算血清阳性受试者的血清流行率，并按年龄、性别、教育水平和月收入进行分层。结果。研究表明，在2379名受试者中，31人（1.3%）HCV Abs呈阳性。女性中HCV Abs的流行率较高，为24人（1.01%），高于男性的7人（0.29%）。年龄特异性流行率从≤14岁受试者中的0人（0.00%）上升到≥55岁受试者中的最高9人（0.38%）。HCV Abs的流行率在文盲受试者中更高，且随着月收入的降低而增加。结论。研究发现，包括年龄和教育水平在内的变量与HCV Ab阳性显著相关，而与性别和月收入无关。
