Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in a rural area of South Korea: the role of acupuncture

A cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of and the risk factors for hepatitis C and B viruses among 700 adults above the age of 40 years in a rural area of South Korea. Seropositivity for hepatitis C virus antibody (11.0%, 95% confidence interval: 8.7 - 13.6) was higher than that for hepatitis B surface antigen (4.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.0 - 6.2). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of repeated acupuncture (odds ratio=2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 - 4.0), and blood transfusion (odds ratio=5.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.6 - 19.3) before 1992 when hepatitis C virus screening in blood donors became mandatory. Hepatitis C virus 2a was the most prevalent genotype, followed by 1b. Hepatitis C virus risk attributable to acupuncture was 38% (9% for men and 55% for women). Safer acupuncture practice has become a priority for hepatitis C virus prevention in South Korea. (C) 2002 Cancer Research UK.