TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and sociodemographic disparities of Hepatitis C in Baby Boomers and the US adult population
AU - Moore, Kevin J.
AU - Gauri, Aliyah
AU - Koru-Sengul, Tulay
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Authors
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Background: The US Baby Boomer (BB) generation is associated with high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is limited literature detailing age-specific risk factors for HCV infection. Using a nationally representative sample, this study examines US adult HCV prevalence and age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. Methods: We analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 1999–2012. Age was divided into three categories: BB, younger than BB (YG) and older than BB (OG). HCV status was determined by the presence of a positive HCV antibody and a positive HCV RNA. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed by HCV status. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic variables were fitted to identify age-specific risk factors for HCV positivity. Results: The overall prevalence of chronic HCV was 1.19% with a US population estimate of 2,347,852 US adults. BB had the highest prevalence at 2.23%, accounting for over 74% of all chronic HCV cases. HCV prevalence was highest among all ages (1.83%) and BB (2.71%) in 2001–2002 survey cycle. Among BB, males, non-Hispanic blacks, positive blood transfusion history, current and former smoker, and living below the poverty line were significant predictors of chronic HCV positivity. Conclusion: This study highlights the elevated prevalence of chronic HCV among BB and identifies age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. As the BB population ages, it is important to use these generation-specific risk factors that can guide health professionals in targeted screening and public health prevention efforts.
AB - Background: The US Baby Boomer (BB) generation is associated with high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is limited literature detailing age-specific risk factors for HCV infection. Using a nationally representative sample, this study examines US adult HCV prevalence and age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. Methods: We analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 1999–2012. Age was divided into three categories: BB, younger than BB (YG) and older than BB (OG). HCV status was determined by the presence of a positive HCV antibody and a positive HCV RNA. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed by HCV status. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic variables were fitted to identify age-specific risk factors for HCV positivity. Results: The overall prevalence of chronic HCV was 1.19% with a US population estimate of 2,347,852 US adults. BB had the highest prevalence at 2.23%, accounting for over 74% of all chronic HCV cases. HCV prevalence was highest among all ages (1.83%) and BB (2.71%) in 2001–2002 survey cycle. Among BB, males, non-Hispanic blacks, positive blood transfusion history, current and former smoker, and living below the poverty line were significant predictors of chronic HCV positivity. Conclusion: This study highlights the elevated prevalence of chronic HCV among BB and identifies age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. As the BB population ages, it is important to use these generation-specific risk factors that can guide health professionals in targeted screening and public health prevention efforts.
KW - Age-specific risk factors
KW - Baby Boomers
KW - Hepatitis C
KW - NHANES
KW - Prevention
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.08.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.08.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 30170837
AN - SCOPUS:85052646704
VL - 12
SP - 32
EP - 36
JO - Journal of Infection and Public Health
JF - Journal of Infection and Public Health
SN - 1876-0341
IS - 1
ER -