Incidence of hepatitis C infection in a hepatitis C endemic township in southern Taiwan

Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 1997 Oct;13(10):605-8.

Abstract

To realize the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in an HCV endemic township, Tzukuan, in Taiwan, we conducted a follow-up community-based survey. A total of 173 adults, 82 males and 91 females, with mean age of 55.5 +/- 9.9 years received initial and follow-up anti-HCV tests with one-year interval. One (1.2%, 95% CI: 0%-5.5%) of 84 anti-HCV-positive subjects was negative-seroconversion, and 4 (4.5%, 95% CI: 0.2%-8.8%) of 89 anti-HCV-negative subjects were positive-seroconversion. The results indicated that hepatitis C might be still spreading in the HCV-endemic area now.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Taiwan / epidemiology