Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda
Joint Authors
Maina, Naomi Wangari
Umumararungu, Esperance
Ntaganda, Fabien
Kagira, John Maina
Source
Issue
Vol. 2017, Issue 2017 (31 Dec. 2017), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2017-01-26
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
In Rwanda, the prevalence of viral hepatitis (HCV) is poorly understood.
The current study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in Rwanda.
A total of 324 patients attending Rwanda Military Hospital were randomly selected and a questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors.
Blood was collected and screened for anti-HCV antibodies and seropositive samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction method.
Hematology abnormalities in the HCV infected patients were also investigated.
Anti-HCV antibody and active HCV infection were found in 16.0% and 9.6% of total participants, respectively.
Prevalence was highest (28.4%; 19/67) among participants above 55 years and least (2.4%; 3/123) among younger participants (18–35 years).
There was a significant (P=0.031) relationship between place of residence and HCV infection with residents of Southern Province having significantly higher prevalence.
The hematological abnormalities observed in the HCV infected patients included leukopenia (48.4%; 15/52), neutropenia (6.5%; 2/52), and thrombocytopenia (25.8%; 8/52).
The HCV infection was significantly higher in the older population (>55 years) and exposure to injection from traditional practitioners was identified as a significant (P=0.036) risk factor of infection.
Further studies to determine the factors causing the high prevalence of HCV in Rwanda are recommended.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Umumararungu, Esperance& Ntaganda, Fabien& Kagira, John Maina& Maina, Naomi Wangari. 2017. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1137804
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Umumararungu, Esperance…[et al.]. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda. BioMed Research International No. 2017 (2017), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1137804
American Medical Association (AMA)
Umumararungu, Esperance& Ntaganda, Fabien& Kagira, John Maina& Maina, Naomi Wangari. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda. BioMed Research International. 2017. Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1137804
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1137804