Prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Malawi and lack of association with sexually transmitted diseases

M J Maida; C C Daly; I Hoffman; M S Cohen; M Kumwenda; P L Vernazza

doi:10.1023/a:1010920426795

Prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Malawi and lack of association with sexually transmitted diseases

Eur J Epidemiol. 2000;16(12):1183-4. doi: 10.1023/a:1010920426795.

Authors

M J Maida¹, C C Daly, I Hoffman, M S Cohen, M Kumwenda, P L Vernazza

Affiliation

¹ Lilongwe Central Hospital, Ministry of Health and Population, Malawi.

PMID: 11484810
DOI: 10.1023/a:1010920426795

Abstract

To investigate the role of sexual transmission for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) we studied its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa where sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are prevalent. Overall, HCV prevalence was 3.9% and similar in 206 STD patients, 127 dermatology patients, and 100 blood donors. No association with HIV or syphilis was observed. Despite high prevalence of STDs, sexual transmission does not appear to significantly contribute to HCV transmission in Malawi.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Confidence Intervals
Developing Countries
Female
Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
Hepatitis C / transmission*
Humans
Malawi / epidemiology
Male
Prevalence
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases / transmission*