BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is well known major cause of posttransfusion hepatitis. There were a lot of studies about the prevalence of anti-HCV. But, most of these focused on healthy blood donors or patients with liver diseases in urban areas. So they may not represent the prevalence of anti-HCV in the entire Korean population. This study focused on people of a rural area which consisted of six towns near Reservoir Juam in the Chonnam province in Korea. METHODS: Nine hundred and sixty three persons were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method from January to February in 19%, Anti-HCV and HBsAg were examined by microparticle enzyme immunoassy(MELA; Abbott Co., USA). Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) was examined by enzyme kinetic method. RESULTS: 1) The positivity of anti-HCV in all subjects was 0.9%. 2) The positivity of anti-HCV in male(1.1%) was not significantly higher than in female(0.9%). 3) The positivity of anti-HCV was 0% below the 5th decade, 0.7% in the 6th decade, 1.4% in the 7th decade, 1.7% in 8th decade, 0% above the 9th decade. There was no significant relationship between the positivity of anti-HCV and age. 4) The positivity of anti-HCV was 0.8% in normal ALT(35U/L) subjects. There was no statistical relationship between the positivity of anti-HCV and ALT level. 5) HBsAg was serologically negative in all of nine anti-HCV positive subjects. CONCLUSION: The positivity of anti-HCV was 0.9% in rural area of Korea and was similar to the prevalence of anti-HCV in urban areas.
Alanine ; Blood Donors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do* ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Prevalence

This is pilot study to evaluate the relationship of physical fitness with age, body fat, work pattern and life style among 20-9 aged male workers (n=417). Physical fitness was measured by maximum oxygen uptake, forced vital capacity, 1 second forced expiratory volume, grip strength, back strength, sit ups and trunk flexion. Life style was self-reported on a questionnaire about regular exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee consumption, degree of stress, and percent of body fat measured by bioelectrical impedance fat meter. Age was significantly and negatively related to physical fitness except grip strength. Obesity was next to most significant factor for physical fitness, it was associated with maximum oxygen uptake, grip strength, back strength, trunk flexion. Regular exercise was associated with maximum oxygen uptake. Others was insignificantly related to physical fitness. Performance of physical fitness test was significantly correlated with age, obesity and regular exercise.
Adipose Tissue* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Coffee ; Electric Impedance ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Male* ; Obesity ; Oxygen ; Physical Fitness* ; Pilot Projects ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vital Capacity