Regional Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Republic of Korea, 2007-2011
Gut and Liver
;
: 428-432, 2014.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-175277
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS:
In Korea, hepatitis C is included as an infectious disease in a sentinel surveillance system. Recently, a large variation in hepatitis C incidence between different regions in Korea has been noticed. The current study verified the nationwide distribution of hepatitis C infection for effective prevention and management.METHODS:
We counted the number of hepatitis C patients who visited a hospital per county using the National Health Insurance database from 2007 to 2011. The age-adjusted prevalence ratio was used, and the age adjustment method was used as an indirect standardization method. Disease mapping and spatial analysis were conducted using a geographic information system.RESULTS:
The annual prevalence of diagnosed hepatitis C was approximately 0.12% to 0.13% in Korea. The age-adjusted prevalence ratios in Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam were high (1.75, 1.4, and 1.3, respectively). The three regions in the southern coastal area of the Korean Peninsula were identified as a high-prevalence cluster (Moran's index, 0.3636).CONCLUSIONS:
The present study showed that hepatitis C infection has very large regional variation, and there are several high-risk areas. Preventive measures focusing on these areas should be applied to block the transmission of hepatitis C and reduce the disease burden.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Residence Characteristics
/
Prevalence
/
Risk Factors
/
Age Distribution
/
Hepatitis C, Chronic
/
Republic of Korea
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Gut and Liver
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
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