Epidemiological risk factors of hepatitis C infection in district Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A case- control study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a globally prevalent disease and is a major cause of healthcare burden in India. Getting knowledge of its epidemiology and identifying risk factors for HCV transmission will help in targeted screening of people, who are at risk for HCV. Therefore, this study was planned to study epidemiological risk factors of HCV infection in Saharanpur district. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Saharanpur on 254 subjects (127 cases and 127 control). Cases and controls were matched by age (±10 years), gender and religion. Detailed information on socio-demographic factors and previous exposures to selected risk factors was collected via detailed interviews of the subjects. Results: Odds of having HCV infection was significantly high, among cases with diabetes (OR: 0.039), history of tobacco smoking (OR: 0.521), habit of sharing of sharp objects like razors and blades (OR: 0.405), received blood transfusion (OR: 9.610), got haircut/shaving done from roadside barber (OR: 3.396) and cases who received dental procedure from private hospital (OR: 2.496). Multivariate analysis identified smoking of tobacco, diabetes, sharing of sharp objects like razor, haircut/shaving from roadside barber and dental procedure in private act as independent risk factors for HCV infection. Conclusion: The study identified multiple risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Increasing community awareness about modes of transmission and risk factors of HCV infection is a must. Appropriate interventions should be taken mainly targeting high risk population and their close relatives.