High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among adolescents and young adults attending HIV and sexual health clinics

Int J STD AIDS. 2025 Mar;36(4):289-296. doi: 10.1177/09564624241302231. Epub 2024 Dec 18.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Thai adults is 0.5%-1.0%. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among adolescents and young adults (AYA) accessing HIV/sexual health clinics.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among AYA aged 15-24 years attending HIV/sexual health clinics in Bangkok, Thailand. The HCV infection prevalence, defined by anti-HCV antibody positivity using rapid diagnostic tests (SD BIOSENSOR, Korea), were reported with proportions and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with HCV infection.

Results: From March to August 2023, 300 AYAs with a median age of 21 (interquartile range 20-23) years were enrolled into the study. One-third (29.7%) were people living with HIV (PLHIV). The overall prevalence of HCV infection was 2.7% (95%CI 1.2-5.2). Prevalence was higher among PLHIV (5.6%) compared to AYA without HIV (1.4%) (p-value 0.053). The factor most significantly associated with HCV infection was people who used drugs (adjusted odds ratio 15.3, 95% CI 2.9-82.0, p-value 0.001).

Conclusions: History of drug use was associated with the highest HCV infection prevalence. PLHIV had a trend of higher prevalence. HCV screening in HIV/sexual health clinics is recommended for early detection, treatment, and transmission reduction.

Keywords: Asia; Epidemiology; Hepatitis C; high-risk behaviour; screening.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Health
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies