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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective This study was conducted to focus on the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to determine the impact of a suggested health education program on the knowledge, the attitude and the practice of the participants regarding the prevention of intrafamilial transmission of HCV. Background The HCV is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in Egypt . Information on the current magnitude and the rate of intrafamilial transmission of HCV and its risk factors in Egypt is scarce. Patients and methods This study was a cross-sectional analytic study with an intervention (health education program) that was conducted in both the Monshaat Sultan University Hospital and the Menouf General Hospital on all previously diagnosed HCV-positive patients and their spouses as well as their family members with corresponding control groups. Results HCV-positive patients were significantly higher among family members of HCV-positive spouses compared with HCV-negative ones, 19.1 versus 15.4%, which indicates that HCV may be transmitted through social relations among different family members. Conclusion The data of this study provide evidence that there is a greater probability of intrafamilial transmission of HCV infection, especially wife-to-husband transmission rather than husband-to-wife transmission of HCV, in Egypt. The data also support the plausible hypothesis that the probability of transmission is greater if the spouse is positive for HCV RNA.

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