Prevalence of HCV Antibody and its Associated Factors: A Study from Sentinel Hospitals in China

The prevalence and related factors of serum anti-HCV in different regions and hospitals have not been studied extensively in China. We used routine screening data to determine the prevalence of HCV antibody in hospital patients, evaluate the epidemic trend of hepatitis C and formulate screening strategies. Patient information and HCV antibody testing results were collected from January 2017 to December 2019 in 77 HCV sentinel hospitals in China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the characteristics and associations. HCV antibody prevalence rates were distinct among patients in different departments, with a range of 0.33%–6.93%. Patients who were admitted to the liver disease-related departments (aOR = 10.76; 95% CI, 10.27–11.28), Internal Medicine (aOR = 2.87; 95% CI, 2.75–3.00), and Department of Surgery (aOR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.87–2.04), were more likely to be tested for HCV antibody positive. HCV antibody prevalence was associated with patients aged 45 years and older (aOR = 2.74; 95% CI, 2.69–2.80), testing in infetious disease hospitals (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI, 2.26–2.40) and secondary hospitals (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.69–1.75). Patients in sentinel hospitals of the Northeast (aOR = 12.75; 95% CI, 12.40–13.11), the Central (aOR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.61–1.70), and the West (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.73–1.83) China had higher HCV prevalence than those who were in the Eastern coastal area. Those who were over 45 years old and saw doctors for liver diseases, and invasive diagnosis and treatment should be referred to HCV antibody testing.