Reliability of risk-based screening for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Egypt

Summary Objectives The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only recommends risk-based HCV screening for pregnant women in the United States. This study sought to determine the reliability of risk-based versus universal HCV screening for pregnant women in Egypt, a country with the world's highest HCV prevalence that also relies on risk-based screening, and to identify additional characteristics that could increase the reliability of risk-based screening. Methods Pregnant women attending the Cairo University antenatal clinic were tested for anti-HCV antibodies and RNA, and demographic characteristics and risk factors for infection were assessed. Results All 1250 pregnant women approached agreed to participate (100%) with a mean age of 27.4 ± 5.5 years (range:16–45). HCV antibodies and RNA were positive in 52 (4.2%) and 30 (2.4%) women respectively. After adjustment, only age (OR:1.08, 95%CI:1.002–1.16, p