RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS C AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE: A CASE CONTROL STUDY IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN

A case control study was conducted to investigate risk factors for hepatitis C infection among females of reproductive age in Quetta, Pakistan. A total of 316 cases and controls were recruited with equal numbers of cases and controls (108). Cases were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-positive (ELISA-positive) for antibodies to HCV, and controls were anti-HCV ELISA negative women. There was no age difference among cases and controls. Among cases the History of injection last month (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.04, p=0.039), History of injection last year (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.76, p<0.001), History of injection last five year (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.44, p<0.001), Lived with Jaundice patient in household (OR 3.34, 95% CI 2.03 to 5.47, p<0.001) were positively associated with HCV and history of previous surgeries (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.16, p=0.167) was associated negatively associated and its negative association is unusual among female in reproductive age.