Factors associated with seroprevalence of hepatitis C among dentists at a large Brazilian city

• Main Authors: Teixeira Rosângela, Paiva Saul M, Abreu Mauro, Resende Vera, Pordeus Isabela A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-12-01
• Series: Virology Journal
• Online Access: http://www.virologyj.com/content/6/1/228

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence and sociodemographic data, health-related and occupational factors and other correlates of sero-posivity among dentists in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 1302 dentists in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All dentists were tested for anti-HCV using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Individuals positive for anti-HCV were recalled for further evaluation. The presence of HCV RNA in anti-HCV-positive samples was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data on demographic, behavioural and occupational exposure aspects were collected through questionnaires.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 0.9% (95% IC 0.5-1.7%). The factors associated to the prevalence of hepatitis C were history of blood transfusion (p = 0.002) and having undergone a test for hepatitis C (p = 0.015).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The seroprevalence of anti-HCV among dentists is low. Moreover, no occupational exposure was associated to the seroprevalence of hepatitis C.</p>