@Article{, title={How to Decrease the Prevalence of Hepatitis C in Iraqi Hemodialysis Patients}, author={Omar Salem Khattab}, journal={Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal المجلة العراقية للاختصاصات الطبية}, volume={9}, number={1}, pages={31-35}, year={2010}, abstract={ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND :Hepatitis C virus infection has been recognized as an emerging problem in dialysis patients, its prevalence varies considerably among different areas of the world. The prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients and its associated risk factors is not well documented in our country. We performed this study aiming to discuss prevention of further transmission of HCV infection among our patients.OBJECTIVE:We performed this study aiming to discuss prevention of further transmission of HCV infection among our patients.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A cross sectional study done between September 2003 – December 2008 in the Renal Transplant Center, Medical City Teaching Hospital, Baghdad. Including 244 patients with end stage renal failure and had been on hemodialysis for more than 3 months. focusing on the prevalence of anti-HCV positive patients, and the associated risk factors.RESULTS:153(62.7%) were males, and 91(37.3%) were females, with age range 14-67 years. The prevalence of anti-HCV positive patients was 12(4.9%), dialysis in different centers, female sex, ≥ 60 years age, ≤ 6 months on dialysis, blood transfusion, and < 9 hours per week haemodialysis were significant predictors of anti-HCV positivity.CONCLUSION:We conclude that adherence to universal infection precautions; HCV screening of transfusions and of patients on hemodialysis; and the use of separate machines in separate rooms for those who are anti-HCV positive, was important factors, To further reduce the prevalence in our patients, erythropoietin should replace blood transfusions, also to test for HCV RNA using polymerase chain reaction before starting hemodialysis.

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