Prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis C in Uzbekistan: results from a population-based serosurvey, 2022.

OBJECTIVES: Uzbekistan launched a national viral hepatitis elimination program in 2022, but precise estimates of hepatitis C prevalence are needed to guide elimination efforts. In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional population-based seroprevalence survey among adults (aged ≥18 years) and children (aged 5-17 years) in Uzbekistan to estimate the prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis C. METHODS: Interviewers collected information on demographics and potential exposures to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Blood samples were tested for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) and, if positive, for HCV RNA. We calculated weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and assessed factors associated with HCV exposure and infection using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 9066 adults and 4087 children were tested for hepatitis C. The prevalence of anti-HCV and HCV RNA among adults was 3.9% (95% CI: 3.3-4.6) and 2.0% (95% CI: 1.6-2.6), respectively, and among children was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.5-2.2) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2-1.0), respectively. Prevalence of anti-HCV and HCV RNA increased with age. Ever having surgery or an invasive medical procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.65 [95% CI: 1.09-2.50]), and past incarceration (aOR 4.88 [95% CI: 1.46-16.29]) were associated with HCV exposure, whereas a history of invasive dental procedures (aOR 2.63 [95% CI: 1.11-6.22]) and receipt of a tattoo (aOR 3.84 [95% CI: 1.57-9.38]) were associated with chronic infection. CONCLUSION: Uzbekistan could consider nationwide HCV screening, focusing first on older age groups and incarcerated persons, and implementing infection prevention and control measures in health care settings to help prevent future infections.