Factors associated with hepatitis C seropositivity in people living with HIV

Objective. To identify risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Methods. A paired case-control study adjusted by age and gender was conducted. It included adults coinfected with HIV and HCV (cases) and HIV mono-infected subjects (controls) using non-probability sampling. Data were collected through interviews and review of medical records. The chi-square test was used for comparing categorical variables and the Student's t-test or Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney U) test for continuous variables. Confidence intervals (95%) were estimated along with crude and adjusted odds ratios using conditional logistic regression. Results. A total of 165 patients were surveyed, including 55 cases and 110 controls. The mean age was 43.6 +/- 8.4 years, ranging from 19 to 64 years; 70.9% were male. Independent risk factors for HIV/HCV coinfection were education (up to eight years of schooling); age at first intercourse < 15 years; having undergone tattooing; blood transfusion; and use of injecting drugs. Conclusions. Low level of education, early age at first sexual intercourse, tattooing, blood transfusions, and sharing needles and other drug injection equipment were factors that increased the risk of HIV/HCV coinfection. The results from this research can be compared with similar data from other regions to help direct preventive and educational efforts targeting people living with HIV.