Chronic Hepatitis C Prevalence and Physician Awareness in Southeastern Turkey
Journal Title: Viral Hepatitis Journal - Year 2019, Vol 25, Issue 3
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate anti-hepatitis C Virus (HCV) positivity and physician-patient awareness in Southeastern Turkey. Materials and Methods: Age, gender and laboratory data of all patients aged 17 years and above, who referred to University of Health Sciences, Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital for any reason between August 2016-April 2018 and underwent anti-HCV testing, were evaluated retrospectively. Dates of anti-HCV positive results and demographic data, such as age and gender of the patients with anti-HCV positivity were retrieved from the hospital’s information systems. Results: In the present study, 120.091 cases were tested for anti- HCV and a total of 855 (0.7%) results were positive, i.e. 553 women (0.61%) and 302 men (0.98%). Anti-HCV was positive in 50 (0.04%) cases under 20 years of age, in 361 (0.48%) cases aged 21-40 years, 237 (1.17%) cases aged 41-60 years, and 207 (1.57%) cases above 61 years of age (p=0.000). The mean delay in diagnosis from the time of anti-HCV identification was 74.88 weeks. Conclusion: Anti-HCV positivity in our region was found to be consistent with that of regions with low prevalence in Turkey and worldwide. Campaigns to improve awareness among patients and physicians are warranted to prevent delays in HCV diagnosis.
Authors and Affiliations
Nurettin Tunç
Keywords
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- EP ID EP676547
- DOI 10.4274/vhd.galenos.2019.2019.0031
- Views 168
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