The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Korea: Pooled Analysis.
10.3346/jkms.2005.20.6.985
- Author:
Hai Rim SHIN
1
;
Soon Young HWANG
;
Chung Mo NAM
Author Information
1. Division of Registry & Epidemiology, Research Institute for National Cancer Control & Evaluation, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. hrshin@ncc.re.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepacivirus;
Hepatitis C Virus;
Prevalence;
Korea
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Female;
Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/immunology/prevention and control/transmission;
Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood;
Humans;
Korea/epidemiology;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Seroepidemiologic Studies
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2005;20(6):985-988
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Korea. Pooled estimates of the anti-HCV positivity were calculated using the data published in 15 reports on the general population and health check-up examinees. The overall pooled estimate of the prevalence of HCV among middle-aged adults (40 yr old and above) was 1.68% (95% confidence interval: 1.51-1.86%) during the year of 1990-2000 among the general population. Most of the published data indicated that the prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age. The anti-HCV positivity was significantly higher in females than in males. Because the risk of HCV exposure in blood recipients has decreased remarkably, the spread of HCV through means other than a transfusion must be prevented.
