Tolmane Ieva, Siksaliete Ieva, Upmace Inga, Bulmistre Inga, Jeruma Agita, Azina Inga, Rozentale Baiba, Sīmanis Raimonds
Riga East University Hospital, Latvia.
University of Latvia, Latvia.
Clin Exp Hepatol. 2024 Dec;10(4):271-277. doi: 10.5114/ceh.2024.144351. Epub 2024 Nov 20.
This was a retrospective study which aimed to analyse two-year (October 1, 2020 to October 31, 2022) data collected by HIV Prevention Point employees during their routine work and to update hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence among residents of long-term assisted living facilities (LTALF) and shelters in Latvia. Key objectives included investigating risk factors associated with HCV infection and analysing demographic characteristics contributing to prevalence.
Retrospective analysis of the screening involved 46 LTALF and 6 shelters, randomly selected from Latvia's social service providers register where HCV rapid plasma immunochromatographic antibody tests were used, as well as demographic and risk-related questions asked to participants. Data were recorded, transferred to Google Sheets, and statistically analysed using SPSS software.
Out of 2838 tests in LTALF and 349 in shelters, HCV prevalence was 4.2% and 12.0%, respectively. Risk factors such as intravenous narcotic use, incarceration, and unprotected sex were significantly associated with HCV prevalence in both populations. Males had higher prevalence rates than females, particularly in LTALF.
The study revealed an HCV prevalence in LTALF almost twice that of the general population and four times higher in shelters. Those denying prior incarceration or intravenous narcotic use still exhibited higher prevalence rates. Significant risk factors included intravenous narcotic use, prior incarceration and unprotected sex. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in these high-risk populations and emphasize the importance of tailored prevention, screening, and treatment strategies. The urgency of addressing elevated prevalence rates in LTALF and shelters is underscored, calling for immediate and targeted public health interventions.
这是一项回顾性研究，旨在分析艾滋病预防点工作人员在2020年10月1日至2022年10月31日的日常工作中收集的两年数据，并更新拉脱维亚长期辅助生活设施（LTALF）和庇护所居民中丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）的流行率。主要目标包括调查与HCV感染相关的风险因素，并分析导致流行率的人口统计学特征。
对筛查进行回顾性分析，涉及从拉脱维亚社会服务提供者登记册中随机选取的46个LTALF和6个庇护所，这些地方使用了HCV快速血浆免疫层析抗体检测，以及向参与者询问的人口统计学和风险相关问题。数据被记录下来，转移到谷歌表格中，并使用SPSS软件进行统计分析。
在LTALF进行的2838次检测和庇护所进行的349次检测中，HCV流行率分别为4.2%和12.0%。静脉注射麻醉品使用、监禁和无保护性行为等风险因素在这两个人口中均与HCV流行率显著相关。男性的流行率高于女性，尤其是在LTALF。
该研究显示，LTALF中的HCV流行率几乎是普通人群的两倍，在庇护所中则高出四倍。那些否认曾被监禁或使用过静脉注射麻醉品的人，其流行率仍然较高。重要的风险因素包括静脉注射麻醉品使用、曾被监禁和无保护性行为。研究结果凸显了对这些高危人群进行有针对性干预的必要性，并强调了量身定制的预防、筛查和治疗策略的重要性。LTALF和庇护所中流行率升高问题的紧迫性得到强调，呼吁立即采取有针对性的公共卫生干预措施。
