Regional Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Republic of Korea, 2007-2011.
- Author:
Geun Yong KWON
1
;
Hyungmin LEE
;
Jin GWACK
;
Sang Won LEE
;
Moran KI
;
Seung Ki YOUN
Author Information
1. Division of Epidemic Intelligence Service, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong, Korea. yunki7777@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C;
Infection;
Prevalence;
Republic of Korea;
Spatial analysis
- MeSH:
Adult;
Age Distribution;
Aged;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*epidemiology;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Prevalence;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Residence Characteristics;
Risk Factors
- From:Gut and Liver
2014;8(4):428-432
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, hepatitis C is included as an infectious disease in a sentinel surveillance system. Recently, a large variation in hepatitis C incidence between different regions in Korea has been noticed. The current study verified the nationwide distribution of hepatitis C infection for effective prevention and management. METHODS: We counted the number of hepatitis C patients who visited a hospital per county using the National Health Insurance database from 2007 to 2011. The age-adjusted prevalence ratio was used, and the age adjustment method was used as an indirect standardization method. Disease mapping and spatial analysis were conducted using a geographic information system. RESULTS: The annual prevalence of diagnosed hepatitis C was approximately 0.12% to 0.13% in Korea. The age-adjusted prevalence ratios in Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam were high (1.75, 1.4, and 1.3, respectively). The three regions in the southern coastal area of the Korean Peninsula were identified as a high-prevalence cluster (Moran's index, 0.3636). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that hepatitis C infection has very large regional variation, and there are several high-risk areas. Preventive measures focusing on these areas should be applied to block the transmission of hepatitis C and reduce the disease burden.
