Exploring Intrafamilial Transmission Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus: An Egyptian Insight

Background and Aim of Work: Egypt has the largest epidemic of hepatitis C virus and chronic liver diseases in the world, this study aimed to explore intrafamilial transmission of HCV among patients Household (HH) contacts. This could provide an insight on means of disease prevention. Subject and Methods: Cross sectional study enrolling HH contacts of identified HCV patients. They were subjected to structured questionnaire and detection of HCV antibody by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test. Results: The study enrolled 400 HH, linked to 331 index patients. Study findings revealed that 53 HH contacts were verified by ELISA to have positive HCV antibody, recording a 13.3% seroprevalence of HCV infection. Married contacts, living in urban settings and lower education, were more liable to be infected. First degree relatives were more than twice liable to be infected. None of the intrafamilial risky behaviors were associated with HCV positivity. 20% of contacts reported taking active measures for preventing infection. Predicators for acquisition of infection were investigated using Multivariate logistic regression. Conclusion: The current research could not ascertain HCV intrafamilial risk factors, yet it sheds the light on the shortage in services provided for HCV prevention in Egypt. National epidemiological studies should be combined with molecular genotyping techniques to ascertain intrafamilial risk factors. This would endorse the initiation of prevention programs targeting the routes of HCV transmission.