Prevalence and Risk Factors of HCV Infection among Haemodialysis Patients at Dialysis Centers in Khartoum State - Sudan

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus infection continues to be a major public health problem warranting high priority efforts for control and treatment. Hepatitis C virus infection is a major health problem among dialysis patients in developing countries. This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of HCV and to identify the possible risk factors associated with HCV infection among haemodialysis patients at dialysis centers in Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional facility based study was conducted at ten dialysis centers. A total of 287 subjects were selected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. ELISA was used to test sera for anti-HC. For the analysis, Z-test and Chi-Square test were used. Results: Field workers interviewed ten dialysis centers with a total of 287 study subjects. Sixty out of 287 (20.9%) was found to be anti-HC reactive. The multivariate analysis indicated as risk factors associated to anti-HCV positivity the number of blood transfusion received, duration of dialysis treatment, number of units of treatment, history of surgeries, multiple injections and using share razors. P values = (0.0001, 0.0031, 0.0001, 0.0018, 0.0005 and 0.0002) respectively. The study demonstrated that, duration of dialysis, changing of units of treatment, blood transfusions received, history of surgeries, multiple injections and share razors were considered important risk factors for anti-HC positivity.