Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Homeless People in Major Central Illinois Cities

Abigail Norville

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/95987 Copy

Description

Title

Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Homeless People in Major Central Illinois Cities

Author(s)

Abigail Norville

Issue Date

2017

Keyword(s)

epidemiology

Geographic Coverage

Central Illinois

Abstract

Between 130 and 150 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a communicable liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many infected individuals have no knowledge that they have acquired this disease because 70-80% are asymptomatic. Unfortunately, 75-85% of individuals develop chronic HCV infections that can lead to liver disease such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and many individuals are in need of a liver transplant (CDC 2016). HCV is primarily spread through contact with infected blood and less frequently spread through sexual contact. Because the use of intravenous drugs and promiscuity increase the chance that HCV is spread, homeless people are at high-risk for contracting HCV. According to a 2015 US Housing and Urban Development report, 550,000 individuals are considered homeless in the United States. Studies suggest that HCV prevalence is up to four times higher in this underrepresented group, and the state bears increased burden of treatment costs for homeless individuals infected with chronic HCV. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of and examine the risk factors for HCV antibody positive individuals among homeless people in central Illinois.

Type of Resource

• text
• other

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/95987

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