Prevalence of hepatitis C in sexual assault survivors presenting to a SANE clinic: A descriptive analysis

While previous epidemiologic research has demonstrated that sexual assault survivors (SAS) may be at disproportionate risk for exposure to Hepatitis C (HCV), HCV screening in SAS is not addressed in current post‐sexual assault testing recommendations. We sought to identify the prevalence of HCV among a SAS cohort along with associated basic demographics. Opt‐out HCV antibody screening and RNA confirmatory testing was provided for all SAS at a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, from April 2020 through March 2021. A retrospective chart review was conducted using descriptive statistical and Chi‐squared analyses. A total of 293 SAS presented to the clinic during the study timeframe. Two hundred forty‐two (82.6%) were screened for HCV and 26 (8.9%) were found to be HCV antibody (Ab) positive [significantly higher than state (