Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:Parenterally transmitted hepatotropic and lymphotropic RNA virus, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family. The present study was conducted to assess risk factors for HCV transmission. Materials & Methods:70 HCV positive patients of both genders were selected. Two patient groups—cases (group I) and controls (group II) were created. Patients who tested positive for HCV, as determined by HCV RNA quantification, were considered cases, whereas 70 subjects negative for HCV were control. To gather information on IV drug abuse, blood transfusions, socioeconomic factors, past history of hepatitis infection, social and sexual behavior, blood donation, hospital admissions, surgical interventions, occupational exposure, accidents/injuries, needle pricks, and tattooing, a standardized questionnaire was created. Results: Age group 21-40 years had 47 and 33, 41-60 years had 13 and 26 and 61-80 years had 10 and 11 subjects in group I and II respectively. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Group I had patients who showed maximum positive number of tattooing, body piercing, use of barber/ manicureset, IV drug abuse, no. of injections in last 6months, alcoholism, sharing razor, sharing toothbrush, needle prickinjury, unsafe sexual practices, and circumcision, accident/ injury. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: A significant risk factors associated with HCV transmission were IV drug abuse, number of injections in past, sharing razor / toothbrush, needle prick injury, unsafe sexual practices, accident/ injury, tattooing, use of barber/ manicure set.