The Impact of Social Factors on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection in a Minority Region of Si-Chuan, the People's Republic of China: A Population-Based Survey and Testing Study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Caiting Dong, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Z. Jennifer Huang, Georgetown University; Maria C. Martin, University of California San Francisco; Jun Huang, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Honglu Liu, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Bin Deng, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Wenhong Lai, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Li Liu, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Yihui Yang, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Ying Hu, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Guangming Qin, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Linglin Zhang, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Zhiblin Song, Liangshan Prefecture Health Bureau; Daying Wei, Lianshan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Lei Nan, Lianshan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Qixing Wang, Lianshan Center for Disease Control & Prevention; Hongxia Deng, Butuo Health Bureau; Jianxun Zhang, Butuo Health Bureau; Frank Wong, Emory University; Wen Yang, Si-Chuan Center for Disease Control & Prevention
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-07-02
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2014 Dong et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101241
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLoS ONE
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: e101241
• End Page: e101241
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by grants from the Mega-Project for National Science and Technology Development under the “11th and 12th, Five-Year Plan of China” (2009ZX10004-905, 2011ZX10001-002).
• Keywords: Science & Technology; HCV; TRANSMISSION; PREVALENCE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; Science & Technology - Other Topics; SOUTHERN CHINA; Multidisciplinary Sciences; INJECTION-DRUG USERS; SICHUAN PROVINCE; HIV
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background: While many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) studies have been performed in Liangshan, most were focused only on HIV infection and based on a sampling survey. In order to fully understand HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and related risk factors in this region, this study implemented in 2009, included a survey, physical examination, HIV and HCV test in two towns. Methods: All residents in two towns of the Butuo county were provided a physical examination and blood tests for HIV and HCV, and then followed by an interview for questionnaire. Results: In total, 10,104 residents (92.4%) were enrolled and 9,179 blood samples were collected for HIV and HCV testing, 6,072 were from individuals >14 years old. The rates of HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co-infection were 11.4%, 14.0%, and 7.7%, respectively for >14-year-old residents. The 25-34 yr age group had the highest prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co-infections, reaching 24.4%, 26.2% and 16.0%, respectively. Overall, males had a much higher prevalence of all infections than females (HIV: 16.3% vs. 6.8%, HCV: 24.6% vs. 3.9%, HIV/HCV co-infected: 14.7% vs. 1.1%, respectively; P = 0.000). Approximately half of intravenous drug users tested positive for HIV (48.7%) and 68.4% tested positive for HCV. Logistic regression analysis showed that five factors were significantly associated with HIV and HCV infection: gender (odds ratio [OR] = 5.8), education (OR = 2.29); occupation (student as reference; farmer: OR = 5.02, migrant worker: OR = 6.12); drug abuse (OR = 18.0); and multiple sexual partners (OR = 2.92). Knowledge of HIV was not associated with infection. Conclusion: HIV and HCV prevalence in the Liangshan region is very serious and drug use, multiple sexual partners, and low education levels were the three main risk factors. The government should focus on improving education and personal health awareness while enhancing drug control programs.