河南省2020年1～69岁人群丙型肝炎流行状况调查

目的了解2020年河南省1～69岁人群丙型肝炎(丙肝)流行状况和特征。方法估计样本量为5 827人。采用多阶段抽样, 于2020年8-12月在河南省抽取8个县(区), 每个县(区)抽取2个调查点, 对1～69岁的人群进行问卷调查, 并采集静脉血液标本进行HCV抗体、核酸和基因型检测。结果调查5 165人, 其中男性占44.76%(2 312/5 165), 女性占55.24%(2 853/5 165)。1～69岁的人群抗-HCV、HCV RNA调整阳性率分别为0.69%(95%CI:0.68%～0.70%)和0.20%(95%CI:0.19%～0.21%)。男性抗-HCV和HCV RNA调整阳性率分别为0.48%(95%CI:0.46%～0.50%)和0.09%(95%CI:0.08%～0.10%);女性为0.86%(95%CI:0.85%～0.87%)和0.30%(95%CI:0.28%～0.32%)。抗-HCV和HCV RNA阳性率均呈随年龄增长而增加的趋势。城市人群抗-HCV和HCV RNA调整阳性率分别为0.87%(95%CI:0.86%～0.88%)和0.28%(95%CI:...     

河南省丙型肝炎流行特征研究

目的了解现阶段河南省普通人群丙型肝炎感染状况和流行特征.方法采用多阶段抽样方法,于2012年4-7月在18个省辖市抽取30个县(区),每县(区)抽取2个调查点,对1 ～75周岁的普通人群进行问卷调查,并采集静脉血标本检测丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)抗体和核酸.结果共调查32 203人,1 ～ 75周岁人群抗-HCV、HCV RNA调整流行率分别为0.64%和0.35%,男女性抗-HCV调整流行率分别为0.60%和0.68%,HCV RNA流行率分别为0.37%和0.33%,抗-HCV阳性率和HCV-RNA阳性率均呈现随年龄增加而增长的趋势;城市人群抗-HCV和HCVRNA阳性率分别为0.58%和0.32%,农村人群分别为0.41%和0.19%.结论经综合防治措施实施,目前河南省属丙型肝炎低流行区,流行呈整体水平较低、个别地区高的特点.     

北京市人群乙型肝炎血清流行病学研究

目的探讨北京市人群乙型肝炎(乙肝)病毒(HBV)血清学感染状况。方法在北京全市范围内,按照多阶段整群随机抽样的方法调查1岁以上各年龄组自然人群,对每名对象乙肝疫苗接种情况以及主要危险因素进行问卷调查。采集每名对象静脉血,利用雅培微粒子酶免疫分析法检测HBV五项血清学指标。结果乙肝HBsAg、抗-HBs、抗-HBc阳性率以及HBV总感染率分别为3．49％(95％CI:2．99～3．99),37．79％(95％CI:36．46～39．12),35．04％(95％CI:33．72～36．35),35．09％(95％CI:33．78～36．40);年龄标化率分别为3．02％、42．47％、26．86％和26．90％。结论北京市5岁以下儿童HBsAg流行率已降至1％以下,全人群HBsAg阳性率已经降至4％以下。     

芜湖市丙型病毒性肝炎流行特征分析

<正>丙型病毒性肝炎(丙肝)是一种由感染丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)引起的病毒性肝炎,主要经血液传播。丙型肝炎病毒慢性感染可导致肝硬化甚至肝癌的发生。丙肝呈全球流行,据最新估计全球范围内的抗-HCV的感染率和人数分别为2.8%和1.85亿,中亚、东亚和北非/中东估计感染率高达3.5%以上~([1])。2006年全国血清流行病学调查显示,我国1~59岁人群抗-HCV流行率为0.43%,     

中国3岁以上人群乙型肝炎血清流行病学研究

目的了解中国现阶段乙型肝炎（乙肝）病毒（HBV）感染现状和评价自1992年乙肝疫苗纳人儿童免疫策略所取得效果。方法利用中国疾病预防控制中心“2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查”保留的血清开展乙肝血清学检测。以美国Abbott乙肝酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）试剂为金标准选择中国乙肝ELISA检测试剂，并用固相放射免疫方法校对检测结果。结果中国≥3岁人群HBsAg阳性率、抗-HBs阳性率、HBV流行率经调整后分别为9．09％、37．48％、50．04％；3～12岁儿童分别为5．03％、45．33％、29．10％。≥3岁城市人群HBsAg阳性率、HBV流行率分别为4．61％、43．51％，农村人群分别为9．41％、56．77％。3～12岁城市儿童HBsAg阳性率、HBV流行率分别为2．10％、20．45％，农村儿童分别为8．25％、39．22％。结论中国≥3岁人群乙肝流行病学特征已发生改变，乙肝疫苗纳人儿童免疫规划效果显著，人群HBsAg阳性率、HBV流行率均有不同程度下降，3～12岁儿童下降更为明显。     

清远市吸毒人员丙型肝炎流行病学调查分析

目的了解清远市吸毒人群丙型肝炎的感染率及流行病学特征。方法对2002～2003年265名戒毒人员，用两种酶联免疫吸附试剂进行丙型肝炎抗体(抗-HCV)血清学检测。对阳性者进行流行病学调查。结果在265名戒毒人员中，抗-HCV阳性206人，阳性率77．7％(206／265)。男性抗-HCV阳性率76．2％(182／239)，女性抗-HCV阳性率为92．3％(24／26)：抗-HCV阳性者无业人员及初中或以下文化程度为主，均有静脉吸毒行为。吸毒史在2～4a为感染丙型肝炎高峰区。结论丙型肝炎在吸毒人群中流行严重，丙型肝炎流行与静脉吸毒及吸毒史有密切相关，与文化程度及职业有关。     

IL-10基因多态性与江苏地区高危人群丙型肝炎病毒感染转归的关联研究

目的 探讨江苏地区高危人群IL-10基因多态性与丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染转归的关系.方法 运用Taqman-MGB技术检测264例HCV自限感染者、371例HCV持续感染者和920例对照者的IL-10-819T/C、-592A/C、- 1082A/G位点基因多态性.结果 调整性别、年龄和高危人群种类混杂因素后,logistic回归分析显示3个位点的基因多态性分别与HCV感染转归无显著关联(P值均＞0.05).进一步分层分析显示,-819T/C位点中,TC基因型使中年人、女性和有偿献血人群HCV自限感染的机会增加[调整OR值及其95％CI分别为2.160( 1.163 ～ 4.011)、1.693( 1.066～ 2.688)和4.084( 1.743～9.570)],在有偿献血人群中使个体进展为持续感染的风险降低(调整OR=0.312,95％CI:0.130 ～ 0.747);CC基因型使血液透析人群HCV自限感染的机会增加(调整OR=2.120,95％CI:1071～4.197),同时在有偿献血人群中使个体进展为持续感染的风险降低(调整OR=0.156,95％CI:0.043 ～ 0.566).-592A/C位点中,AC基因型使中年人、女性和有偿献血人群HCV自限感染的机会显著增加[调整OR值及其95％CI分别为2.176(1.173 ～4.037)、1.659( 1.055 ～ 2.607)和3.704( 1.625 ～ 8.443)],在女性中增加了HCV持续感染的风险(调整OR=1.525,95％CI:1.017～ 2.286),在吸毒人群中使个体进展为持续感染的风险增加(调整OR=1.845和95％CI:1.122～3.034),而在有偿献血人群中使个体进展为持续感染的风险降低(调整OR=0.361,95％CI:0.155 ～ 0.841).CC基因型增加了有偿献血人群HCV自限感染的机会,同时也使个体进展为持续感染的风险降低[调整OR值及其95％CI分别为3.125(1.016 ～ 9.605)和0.218( 0.063～0.748)].-1082A/G位点中,突变基因型AG/GG能增加有偿献血人群HCV自限感染的机会(调整OR=3.780,95％CI:1.620 ～ 8.82 0).结论 IL-10-819T/C、-592A/C、-1082A/G三个位点的基因多态性在不同高危人群中与HCV感染转归可能有一定关联.     

中国老年居民运动障碍与便秘和睡眠障碍的关系

目的 调查中国老年人群运动障碍与便秘和睡眠障碍的关系.方法 选取2010年中国慢性病及其危险因素监测项目中60岁以上常住居民作为研究对象,共42 353名.应用问卷调查研究对象运动障碍、便秘及睡眠障碍.分析不同性别、年龄、城乡和地区调查对象自报运动障碍、便秘、睡眠障碍状况及相互关系.结果 42 353名60岁以上老年人中,男性21 893名(占51.7％),女性20 460名(占48.3％);城市居民17 917名(占42.3％),农村居民24 436名(占57.7％);东、中、西部地区居民分别占37.9％(16 031名)、29.1％(12 345名)、33.0％(13 977名).对数据经过复杂加权后,在我国60岁以上老年居民中,自报运动障碍、便秘和睡眠障碍患病率均随年龄升高而增加,60～64岁组分别为2.8％ (95％ CI:1.9％ ～3.7％)、3.6％(95％ CI:3.1％ ～4.1％)、12.4％ (95％ CI:11.0％ ～13.8％);≥80岁组分别为13.2％ (95％ CI:10.2％ ～ 16.1％)、8.8％(95％ CI:7.1％ ～10.6％)、19.1％(95％ CI:16.3％ ～ 21.9％).自报运动障碍患病率为5.7％ (95％ CI:4.5％ ～7.0％);便秘患病率为5.1％ (95％CI:4.4％～5.7％),女性[5.8％(95％CI:5.0％～6.6％)]高于男性[4.3％(95％ CI:3.7％ ～4.8％)](x2=23.40,P＜0.05),城市[6.0％(95％ CI:5.1％ ～ 7.0％)]高于农村[4.6％ (95％CI:3.8％～5.4％)](x2=5.62,P＜0.05);睡眠障碍患病率为14.2％(95％ CI:12.7％ ～ 15.8％),女性[17.4％(95％ CI:15.4％ ～ 19.3％)]高于男性[11.0％ (95％ CI:9.7％ ～12.2％)](x2=172.05,P＜0.05).便秘人群中运动障碍患病率[16.3％(95％ CI:12.7％ ～ 19.9％)]高于非便秘人群运动障碍患病率[5.2％ (95％ CI:4.0％ ～6.3％)](x2=242.73,P＜0.05);睡眠障碍人群中运动障碍患病率[13.0％ (95％ CI:10.6％ ～ 15.4％)]高于非睡眠障碍人群运动障碍患病率[4.5％(95％ CI:3.5％ ～5.5％)](x2=688.80,P＜0.05).logistic回归分析结果显示,便秘及睡眠障碍会增加老年发生运动障碍的风险,OR(95％ CI)值分别为2.93(2.57 ～3.33)和2.73(2.48 ～3.02).结论 我国60岁以上居民自报运动障碍、便秘和睡眠障碍患病率均随年龄增高而上升,运动障碍与便秘和睡眠障碍密切相关.     

我国大气可吸入颗粒物污染对人群死亡率的影响

目的 综合相关文献并以暴露-反应关系的形式探讨中国可吸入颗粒物( PM10)污染对人群死亡率的影响.方法 收集符合纳入标准的中国大气颗粒物污染与居民总死亡率、心脑血管疾病死亡率、呼吸系统疾病死亡率关系的文献,共纳入21篇文献.采用Stata9.0软件进行统计分析,提取PM10与人群死亡率的暴露-反应系数,利用固定或随机效应模型合并效应值,并对结果进行敏感性分析、发表偏倚检验与校正.结果 我国大气PM10每上升10 μg/m3,人群每日总死亡率、心脑血管疾病和呼吸系统疾病死亡率的相对危险度(RR)分别为1.0033(95％ CI:1.0022～1.0044)、1.0045(95％ CI:1.0029 ～1.0062)和1.0056(95％CI:1.0033～1.0079);校正发表偏倚后,人群每日总死亡率、心脑血管疾病和呼吸系统疾病死亡率的RR值降为1.0012(95％CI:1.0002～1.0022)、1.0011(95％ CI:0.9996～1.0026)和1.0023(95％ CI:1.0001～1.0045).结论 大气中PM10浓度的上升会导致我国人群每日总死亡率、心脑血管疾病死亡率和呼吸系统疾病死亡率的增加.     

自制抗-HCV诊断试剂评价体系的建立

目的建立ELISA法抗-HCV诊断试剂评价体系,筛选出适合本地区丙肝流行特征的的献血员抗-HCV检测策略。方法采用重组免疫印迹试验(RIBA)对献血员中抗-HCV筛查阳性或处于检测高值阴性的441份血清标本进行确认,选取部分阳性、高值阴性血清,建立抗-HCV ELISA试剂评价体系,并评价8种试剂的灵敏度、特异度和一致率等。结果构建了抗-HCV诊断试剂参考评价体系,其中24份阳性系列血清包含多种RIBA试验阳性条带组合;24份阴性系列血清中有8份属于含干扰物质的高值阴性标本;并建立浓度梯度稀释系列标本用于灵敏度评价。在评价体系中8种抗-HCV ELISA试剂检测一致率分别为83.33%、85.42%、87.50%、87.50%、89.58%、93.75%、89.58%和79.17%,应用双抗原夹心法的6号试剂灵敏度检测值明显高于其他试剂(P0.05)。结论自制抗-HCV ELISA诊断试剂评价体系适用于实验室日常工作,在制定本地区筛选策略时应充分考虑试剂间的互补性,以保障血液安全。     

The prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis C infection in antenatal clinic attenders in two regions of England

The prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis C infection in women attending antenatal clinics in two regions of England was investigated to inform future surveillance and control measures. Women booking into antenatal care are routinely offered a test for immunity to rubella. Serum residues from these tests were unlinked, anonymized and archived as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme (UAPMP). The serum specimens were tested for anti-HCV using a cost-effective pooling strategy. After taking into account differential sampling from the UAPMP serum archive, the adjusted overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.43% (95% CI: 0.32-0.53) in London and 0.21% (95% CI: 0.14-0.28) in the Northern and Yorkshire region. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of amplified HCV RNA identified type 3a as the most common HCV genotype in these antenatal women. The prevalence of anti-HCV in antenatal women in the UK is low and consistent with that expected from injecting drug use.     

深圳市某区学龄前儿童丙型肝炎血清流行病学调查

目的:C型肝炎目前并未有疫苗预防接种,因此对C型肝炎的流行情况、尤其是C型肝炎病毒的致病机转及感染途径方面的探讨,以其切断感染源,是为迫切需要。方法:以多步骤抽样法在区、街道中心与郊乡地区筛检54所幼儿园。从静脉采血取得血清,以自动化仪器测试肝功能指针研究数据,以SPSS软件系统做统计分析。结果:有19位儿童为C型肝炎抗体阳性,占2.3%。男孩的C型肝炎抗体流行率比女孩高,但经统计学处理无显著差异(ORm:1.6;95%CI:0.9～2.8;P=0.08)。3～4岁年龄段的流行率比5～6岁低(ORm:2.2;95%CI:1.1～4.2;P=0.02)。经多变项调整分析后,具C型肝炎抗体流行率的儿童且受B型肝炎病毒自然感染的比未被感染的高,但经统计学处理无显著差异(ORm:2.6;95%CI:0.9～7.4;P=0.08 for HBV-infected vs.uninfected)。结论:在龙岗区,C型肝炎病毒的感染与B型肝炎病毒自然的感染,除了性别与居住地外,应该还有更多的共同传染途径存在。另外,为数不少的居民相信药物注射比口服治疗快,尤其是对儿童的治疗,因此间接造成C型肝炎病毒感染的数量增加。     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and its association with natural infection of hepatitis B virus among preschool children in Taiwan

Taiwan is a hyperendemic area of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection where chronic hepatitis B is the most important cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatoma. Since, diagnostic kit for detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been developed, HCV was found to be another important etiology of chronic liver disease. In order to study the seroprevalence of HCV infection among preschool children after mass hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan, a community-based survey was carried out in 54 kindergartens in 10 urban areas, 10 rural areas, and two aboriginal areas randomly selected through stratified sampling. Serum specimens of 2538 preschool children were screened for the HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) by a commercially available third-generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay and for HBV markers by radioimmunoassay methods. The multivariate-adjusted odd ratios (OR_m) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through the multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 58 children were anti-HCV seropositive, giving a prevalence of 2.3%. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.0% (5 of 484) among aboriginal children, a significantly decreased seroprevalence compared with those among other ethnic groups after multivariate adjustment. Boys had a higher anti-HCV seroprevalence, but not statistically significantly different from girls (OR_m: 1.6; 95% CI: 0.9–2.8; p = 0.08). The seroprevalence of the age group of 3–4 years was lower than that of the age group of 5–6 years (OR_m: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.2; p = 0.02). After multivariate adjustment, preschool children with natural HBV infection had a higher anti-HCV seroprevalence, but not statistically significantly different from those without natural HBV-infection (OR_m: 2.6; 95% CI: 0.9–7.4; p = 0.08 for HBV-infected vs. uninfected). HCV infection varies with gender, residential area, and natural HBV infection. HCV and HBV might share common transmission routes in Taiwan.     

Prevalence and associated factors to hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher in patients on hemodialysis than in the general population, probably due to greater exposure to risk situations. The purposes of the study were to determine anti-HCV antibodies prevalence among hemodialysis patients and dialysis clinics and patients factors associated with HCV transmission. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 752 hemodialysis patients in all 12 dialysis clinics of Fortaleza, Brazil, and were screened using third generation ELISA. Sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological data of 663 patients were collected through interviews. Nosocomial factors were assessed using a specific questionnaire tool. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student's t test, odds ratio and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HCV was 52% (390/746; ranged from 6% to 72%). The anti-HCV positivity was higher in patients who had previous peritoneal dialysis (OR=1.76; 95% CI 1.12-2.76) and blood transfusion (OR=2.75; 95% CI 1.25-6.03). Dialysis age has been associated with anti-HCV positivity (OR=1.47; 95% CI 1.35-1.61). Clinics practices associated with anti-HCV positivity were: previous preparing of heparin (OR=2.92; 95% CI 1.23-6.92), failure in gloves use or change (OR=5.73; 95% CI 1.75-18.72), unsatisfactory dialysis machine disinfection (OR=2.79; 95% CI 1.57-4.96), and patient isolation in dialysis room (OR=0.18; 95% CI 0.05-0.61). CONCLUSIONS: The results show high anti-HCV prevalence among hemodialysis patients and the association of nosocomial factors with new HCV infection cases.     

广西壮族自治区16岁以上高中生丙型肝炎病毒感染状况调查

目的 了解广西壮族自治区16岁以上中学生丙型肝炎病毒（hepatitis C virus，HCV）感染状况及其相关影响因素，为丙型肝炎的预防控制提供科学的理论依据。方法 采用分层整群随机抽样的方法，按地理分布从广西的玉林、南宁、百色、桂林、柳州五个地区抽取2 632名16岁以上高中生，抽静脉血5 ml，采用酶联免疫吸附测定（enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay，ELISA）方法检测抗-HCV，用描述流行病学方法研究丙肝病毒感染的流行特征，用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析丙肝感染的相关因素。结果 2 632例样本的HCV抗体阳性率为0.84%，男生抗-HCV阳性率为0.73%（6/823），女生阳性率为0.89%（16/1 800），东部（玉林）为1.03%（9/877），西部（百色）为0.66%（3/457），中部（柳州）为1.28% （3/234），北部（桂林）为0.79%（4/509），南部（南宁）为0.54%（3/555），性别和地区差异均无统计学意义（均有P>0.05）。单因素及多因素分析结果显示，公用牙刷史和有内窥镜检查是丙肝感染的高危因素（OR=3.078，95% CI:1.174~48.074，P=0.022；OR=4.182，95% CI:1.328~13.170，P=0.015）。结论 广西高中生丙肝病毒感染是一个重要的公共卫生问题，学生要提高自我保护意识，拒绝共用牙刷，医疗机构要加强医疗器械的消毒，积极开展预防丙型肝炎病毒感染宣传教育，防止医源性传播。     

Hepatitis C virus infection in family setting

To evaluate risk factors associated with intrafamiliar transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), 113 hepatitis C virus index subjects with chronic HCV infection and their 267 family contacts were studied from January 1994 to October 1995. Overall, 16 family contacts (6%) were positive for anti-HCV by ELISA II generation. The prevalence was 11.3% in spouses and 2.9% in other relatives (odds ratios: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4–12.6). Spouses who had been married to the index cases longer than 20 years had a 7.5–fold risk (95% CI: 1.0–336.3) of HCV seropositivity as compared to those married less than 20 years. In univariate analysis HCV seropositivity was associated with surgical intervention, use of glass syringes and hospitalization. The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that any parenteral exposure (odds ratios: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2–12.8) and sexual contact with an anti-HCV index case (odds ratios: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.0–9.4) were both independent predictors of HCV seropositivity among household contacts of HCV positive index cases. These findings indicate that sexual contact and any parenteral exposure both play an independent role in the spread of HCV infection in the family setting.     

Risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwanese government employees

This study evaluated the roles of multiple factors in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with emphasis on the modification of various individual characteristics on the risk associated with percutaneous exposure to blood. Serum samples taken from 4869 men in Taiwan within a cohort study were tested for HCV antibody. The overall positive rate of anti-HCV was 1.6%. In a logistic regression, factors positively associated with anti-HCV positivity were previous blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR] = 7.28: 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.26-12.45), a history of surgery (OR = 2.06: 95% CI = 1 23-3.46), and lower educational levels (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.14-3.32). The anti-HCV positive rate was significantly lower in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers than in non-carriers (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.37-0.95). Ageing, lower educational levels, O blood group, and Taiwanese ethnicity enhanced the likelihood of HCV infection through blood transfusion/surgery, whereasHBsAg status, cigarette smoking, and habitual alcohol drinking reduced it.     

Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among Egyptian healthcare workers in a national liver diseases referral centre

Little is known about the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among healthcare workers (HCW) in Egypt, where the highest worldwide prevalence of HCV exists. The prevalence of HCV, hepatitis B virus and Schistosoma mansoni antibodies was examined in 842 HCWs at the National Liver Institute in the Nile Delta, where >85% of patients are HCV antibody-positive. The mean age of HCWs was 31.5 years and they reported an average of 0.6±1.2 needlesticks/HCW/year. The prevalence of anti-HCV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and co-infection was 16.6%, 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively. HCV-RNA was present in 72.1% of anti-HCV-positive HCWs, and all but one subject were infected with HCV genotype 4. Schistosoma mansoni antibodies were present in 35.1%. The anti-HCV rate increased sharply with age and employment duration, but not among those with needlestick history. After adjusting for other risk factors, the anti-HCV rate was higher among older HCWs [P<0.001; risk ratio (RR) = 1.086, 95% CI 1.063-1.11], males (P=0.002; RR=1.911, 95% CI 1.266-2.885) and those with rural residence (P<0.001; RR=2.876, 95% CI 1.830-4.52). Occupation (P=0.133), duration of employment (P=0.272) or schistosomal antibody positivity (P=0.152) were not significant risk factors for anti-HCV positivity. In conclusion, although one in six HCWs had been infected with HCV, the infections were more likely to be community-acquired and not occupationally related.     

Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Blood Donors in Georgia

BACKGROUND: Growing awareness about the importance of blood safety for controlling the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has helped to decrease the spread of this virus in many settings. This study was conducted in order to evaluate potential risk factors for HCV infection among blood donors in Georgia. METHODS: The study population consisted of 553 blood donors in three major Georgian cities: Tbilisi, the capital city and Batumi and Poti, naval port cities. Risk factors were examined using a behavior questionnaire. All blood samples were initially tested using 3rd generation anti-HCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and confirmed using recombinant immunoblot assays and nucleic acid testing. RESULTS: Forty-three blood donors, 7.8%, were confirmed HCV positive. Significant risk factors included: drug injection ever (OR: 42; 95% CI: 3.2-550.7); history of hepatitis (OR: 25.9; 95% CI: 4.6-145.5); history of a previous surgical procedure (OR: 148.4; 95% CI: 26.9-817.4); blood transfusion (OR: 25.9; 95% CI: 3.2-210.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a very high prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Georgia. The main risk factor for HCV infection in this population of blood donors was previous contact with contaminated blood or blood products. Reliable screening of donors and their blood is critical for controlling the further spread of HCV in Georgia.