Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in Central-West Brazil

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a population of recyclable waste collectors (n = 431) was assessed using a cross-sectional survey in all 15 cooperatives in the city of Goiânia, Central-West Brazil. The HCV prevalence was 1.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.6-3.6) and a history of sexually transmitted infections was independently associated with this infection. HCV RNA (corresponding to genotype 1; subtypes 1a and 1b) was detected in five/seven anti-HCV-positive samples. Although the study population reported a high rate (47.3%) of sharps and needle accidents, HCV infection was not more frequent in recyclable waste collectors than in the general Brazilian population.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marinho,Thais Augusto, Lopes,Carmen Luci Rodrigues, Teles,Sheila Araujo, Reis,Nadia Rubia Silva, Carneiro,Megmar Aparecida dos Santos, Andrade,Andreia Alves de, Martins,Regina Maria Bringel
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2013
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762013000400519
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Summary:The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a population of recyclable waste collectors (n = 431) was assessed using a cross-sectional survey in all 15 cooperatives in the city of Goiânia, Central-West Brazil. The HCV prevalence was 1.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.6-3.6) and a history of sexually transmitted infections was independently associated with this infection. HCV RNA (corresponding to genotype 1; subtypes 1a and 1b) was detected in five/seven anti-HCV-positive samples. Although the study population reported a high rate (47.3%) of sharps and needle accidents, HCV infection was not more frequent in recyclable waste collectors than in the general Brazilian population.