Int J STD AIDS. 2024 Dec 18:9564624241302231. doi: 10.1177/09564624241302231. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Thai adults is 0.5%-1.0%. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among adolescents and young adults (AYA) accessing HIV/sexual health clinics.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among AYA aged 15-24 years attending HIV/sexual health clinics in Bangkok, Thailand. The HCV infection prevalence, defined by anti-HCV antibody positivity using rapid diagnostic tests (SD BIOSENSOR, Korea), were reported with proportions and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with HCV infection.
RESULTS: From March to August 2023, 300 AYAs with a median age of 21 (interquartile range 20-23) years were enrolled into the study. One-third (29.7%) were people living with HIV (PLHIV). The overall prevalence of HCV infection was 2.7% (95%CI 1.2-5.2). Prevalence was higher among PLHIV (5.6%) compared to AYA without HIV (1.4%) (p-value 0.053). The factor most significantly associated with HCV infection was people who used drugs (adjusted odds ratio 15.3, 95% CI 2.9-82.0, p-value 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: History of drug use was associated with the highest HCV infection prevalence. PLHIV had a trend of higher prevalence. HCV screening in HIV/sexual health clinics is recommended for early detection, treatment, and transmission reduction.
PMID:39693642 | DOI:10.1177/09564624241302231
