Prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis C in a middle-aged population,Dunedin,New Zealand

作     者：Jane Vermunt Margaret Fraser Peter Herbison Anna Wiles Martin Schlup Michael Schultz 

作者机构：Department of MedicineDunedin School of MedicineUniversity of Otago Gastro-enterology UnitDunedin HospitalSouthern District Health Board Department of Preventive and Social MedicineUniversity of Otago 

出 版 物：《World Journal of Gastroenterology》 (世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2015年第21卷第35期

页      面：10224-10233页

核心收录：

学科分类：1004[医学-公共卫生与预防医学(可授医学、理学学位)] 100401[医学-流行病与卫生统计学] 10[医学] 

基　　金：Supported by (in part) New Zealand Ministry of Health and the Healthcare of Otago Charitable Trust 

主　　题：Hepatitis C Prevalence Knowledge Treatment Transmi 

摘      要：AIM:To determine the prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus(HCV) in those most at risk of advanced liver disease and to identify gaps in knowledge of ***: Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected residents aged 40-59 to assess the extent of their general knowledge about HCV. The questionnaire assessed demographics, the extent of general knowledge about viral hepatitis, potential risks for infection and the prevalence of risk factors associated with increased progression of liver fibrosis. Anonymised residual laboratory blood samples from 40-59 years old people from Dunedin taken in hospital or in the community, were tested for HCV antibodies and alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT). Linear regression was performed to examine whether the demographics sex, age, socio-economic status, qualification level and occupation sector(categorical variables) were predictors of level of general knowledge about hepatitis. For the demographics that werefound to be significant predictors of score outcome, multiple regression analysis was used to determine independent effects. χ2 tests were used to compare our selected sample and our responder population demographics, to the demographics of the entire 40-59 years old population in Dunedin using the 2006 NZ census data. Exact confidence intervals for the proportion positive for HCV and HBV were calculated using the binomial ***: The response rate to the mailed questionnaire was 431/1400(30.8%). On average 59.4% questions were answered correctly. Predictors for higher scores, indicating greater knowledge about symptoms and transmission included sex(female, P 0.01), higher level of qualification(P 0.000) and occupation sector(P 0.000). Sharing intravenous drug utensils was a known risk factor for disease transmission(94.4%), but the sharing of common household items such as a toothbrush was not. 93% of the population were unaware that HCV