Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, and the
possible risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
among hemodialysis patients in Khartoum State. Three hundred and eight
(n=308) subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and investigated
during the period from January to April, 2010. The majority of the
subjects examined were males (65.3 %). Most of the patients tested were
within the age group 50-59 years. The specific anti-HCV antibodies were
detected in 14.3 % of the population under study using the fourth
generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Duration of
dialysis was significantly associated with HCV seropositivity (P<0.05).
Patients who had a longer duration (5 years or more) were 8-times at risk
to get infection with HCV than those who had shorter duration. However,
no other possible risk factor i.e., intravenous drug, previous surgery,
dialysis in multiple centers, previous endoscopy, and catheterization were
found to be in significant (P>0.05) to contract the disease. There was no
significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of HCV among
married hemodialysis patients compared to single ones. In conclusion,
this high prevalence of HCV among hemodialysis patients (14.3 %)
should draw the attention of healthcare authorities to implement new
methodologies and improve the infrastructure of the dialysis centers,
which could help improve quality of life of dialysis patients in Sudan.
