Prevalence of HCV Among Household Members of Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients Attending Centre Universitaire De Sante Publique (Cusp) Health Center in Rwanda

Abstract

Globally, hepatitis C is included in the public health concern. More than 1.4 million deaths are reported. In 170 million who are infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) worldwide,71 million have serious complications. There is a close relationship between hepatitis C infections among family members with one case. Family member’s behaviors and exposure to positive family members without precautions are among the risk factor of getting hepatitis C infection. In Rwanda, the burden of Hepatitis C infections reaches to 4% of infected people. High prevalence of hepatitis C infection can be associated with horizontal transmission among household of positive patients for HCV. In Rwanda no data showing the contribution of horizontal transmission of HCV among household members as one of the risk factors to increase the prevalence of HCV. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV among the household members living with HCV positive individual, specifically attending centre universitaire de santé public of BUTARE. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design to assess the prevalence among 30 families having had positive cases for HCV with 180 sample size. With use of questionnaires, HCV risk factors were assessed from our participants and from their responses. Purposive sampling was done for HCV rapid test and positive cases sample were confirmed at university teaching hospital of BUTARE with Elisa. From participants tested, 10.8% were tested positive for HCV counting for the prevalence of our study. Our findings are in line with other same studies conducted in Egypt and Iran revealed that there was 14.1%, which is a bit closer to our finding. we have found that unprotected sex with partners and marital status between infected cases has a big influence to the high prevalence in Rwanda. Based on the findings from our study, 10.8% of our participants tested positive for HCV due to limited education, awareness and exposure to contributing risk factors about HCV transmission.