Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among female commercial sex workers in South Korea who are not intravenous drug users

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Jun;74(6):1117-21.

Abstract

Several previous studies have reported a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among commercial sex workers (CSWs), but the situation is often compounded by coexisting factors, such as intravenous drug use. We conducted a seroepidemiologic study of 1,527 female CSWs in South Korea. All participants tested negative for human immunodeficiency virus and were not illicit intravenous drug users (IDUs). Twenty-one participants (1.4%) were positive for antibodies to HCV. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a history of acupuncture and diabetes mellitus were associated with the seroprevalence of HCV, whereas time spent as a CSW showed only borderline significance. Sexual activity was not an independent predictor of increased risk for HCV infection in female CSWs who had never been illicit IDUs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Work*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies