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International Journal of Public Health

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Open Access 01-11-2015 | Review

Hepatitis C in key populations in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Monica Alonso, Annika Gutzman, Rafael Mazin, Carlos E. Pinzon, Ludovic Reveiz, Massimo Ghidinelli

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Objectives

Summarize hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in injecting (IDU) and non-injecting drug users (NIDU), men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, and prison inmates in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Methods

Systematic review on HCV prevalence in sub-populations in LAC. Databases searched from 1-1-2000 to 10-30-2013. Inclusion criteria: prevalence studies in sub-populations in LAC. HCV-antibody was marker for prevalence of current/past HCV infection and HCV-RNA for prevalence of HCV current infection.

Results

IDU HCV current/past infection presented highest prevalence, from 1.7 % in Colombia to over 95 % in Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, Mexico and pooled regional anti-HCV prevalence was 49 % (CI 95 % 22.6–76.3 %). NIDU, MSM and sex workers anti-HCV prevalence was below 10 %, and pooled regional prevalence of 4 % (CI 95 % 2.6–4.5 %), 3 % (CI 95 % 1.7–4.5 %) and 2 % (CI 95 % 1.0–3.4 %), respectively. Prison inmates presented higher values, but prevalence decreased over the 15-year time span (p < 0.001). Current HCV infection from three countries showed prevalence under 10 % in prison inmates and 1–46 % among drug users.

Conclusions

Disease burden is high and surveillance, prevention and treatment should target these groups in LAC.

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Title: Hepatitis C in key populations in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Monica Alonso
Annika Gutzman
Rafael Mazin
Carlos E. Pinzon
Ludovic Reveiz
Massimo Ghidinelli
Publication date: 01-11-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0708-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Hepatitis C in key populations in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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