ORIGINAL PAPER
The rationale behind screening programs for early detection of hepatitis C virus
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1
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika / University of Mikolaj Copernicus, Toruń, Poland
(Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego / Collegium
Medicum of Ludwik Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, Department of the Health Science, Public Health Department)
2
Urząd Marszałkowski Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego / Local Government of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship, Toruń, Poland
3
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika / University of Mikolaj Copernicus, Toruń, Poland
(Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Wydział Lekarski, Katedra Chorób Zakaźnych i Hepatologii / Collegium
Medicum of Ludwik Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, Medical Department, Infection and Hepatology Clinic)
4
Central and Eastern European Society of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Kraków, Poland
Corresponding author
Małgorzata Leźnicka
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu,
Collegium Medicum im. L. Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego,
Zakład Organizacji i Zarządzania w Ochronie Zdrowia, ul. Sandomierska 16, 85-830 Bydgoszcz
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2014;65(5):633-7
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background: The objective of the study was to collect the data on undetected hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the frequently hospitalized
residents of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. Material and Methods: The analysis focused on empirical data. The research was
conducted in 2013 among 6332 citizens of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship who had been hospitalized at least twice. The blood
was tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. The diagnostic survey with an anonymous questionnaire was developed and
used for the purpose of the study. For the statistical analysis Statistica 10.0 was used. The hypothesis was verified using the Mann-
-Whitney U test and Chi2 test of independence. A level of statistical significance was assumed at α = 0.05. The results were considered
to be statistically significant if the probability fulfilled the inequality of p < 0.05. Results: Positive anti-HCV antigens were detected
in 91 (1.44%) examined individuals. The relationship was found between blood transfusions provided before 1992, the use of intravenous
narcotics and doping, and minor surgical procedures and the infection. Conclusions: Asymptomatic infection was detected
in 91 citizens of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. The highest risk of HCV infection occurs during small surgery and usage
of intravenous narcotics and doping. The percentage of positive results is slightly higher in the group of people with cosmetic and
beauty treatments. Planning screening programs special attention should be paid to this group of risk. Blood and blood products
transfusions before 1992 were associated with a higher risk of HCV infection. People with above-mentioned interventions should
become a particular group of screening program participants. Occupational medicine service plays an important role in prevention. Med Pr 2014;65(5):633–637