Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus in patients undergoing treatment in Lamphun Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) it is a major public health problem in the world and is also the leading cause of death from liver cancer in Thailand.

Objective: To study the prevalence of HCV and risk factors for HCV of patients receiving treatment at Lamphun Hospital.

Study design: This is retrospective study. The sample group is an electronic database of outpatients who came to receive screening services by detecting immunity to HCV by the chemiluminescence, Medical Technology Group Lamphun Hospital during the period from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2024, a total of 328 cases. The tool used to collect data is the HCV infection detection service data recording form. The data were analyzed the data with descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics, including Chi-Square Test, Fisher exact Test and Logistic Regression Analysis.

Results: The results of the study showed that outpatients who received screening services by testing for immunity to HCV at Lamphun Hospital, a total of 328 cases, found 74 patients infected with HCV, accounting for 22.6%. The important risk factors associated with HCV infection included; sexual intercourse with multiple sexual partners [OR=12.12 (95%CI 2.04-34.30), p<0.001], tattoos on the body [OR=8.38 (95%CI 2.04-34.30), p<0.001], HIV infection [OR=2.62 (95%CI 1.16-5.59), p<0.001], male [OR=2.03(95%CI 0.86-4.77), p<0.001], and private employees or general contractors. [OR=0.44(95%CI 0.21-0.92), p<0.05].

Conclusions: Continuous study of the prevalence and risk factors for HCV is an important approach to disease prevention and develop a screening system so that infected people can receive treatment in a timely manner and reduce the chance of transmission.

Keywords: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Hepatitis C virus