A liver health hui: hepatitis C knowledge and associated risk factors in New Zealand gang members and their families

Royal Society Open Science
Kristina AluzaiteMichael Schultz

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B virus (HBV) infections are highly prevalent, with a high percentage of undiagnosed cases. Knowledge of HCV and its modes of transmission are essential for disease prevention and management. We studied a high-risk New Zealand gang population on viral hepatitis prevalence, their level of knowledge and the liver health risk factors in a community setting. Participants completed demographic, risk factor and knowledge questionnaires in three health meetings in New Zealand. Participants' blood samples were tested for HBV, HCV, biochemical indicators of liver disease. Liver fibrosis levels were assessed using a Fibroscan® device. We studied 52 adult Mongrel Mob members, affiliates and whānau (extended family) throughout New Zealand. We identified no HCV and two HBV cases, confirmed high-risk factor levels and poor associated knowledge, with a significant association between lack of knowledge and presence of specific risk factors. We successfully conducted a community-focused, high-risk, hard-to-reach gang population study, and found a link between lack of knowledge and risk factors for HCV infection. This study provided first-of-its-kind data on viral hepatitis in a gang population and demonstrated the ne...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1993·Australian Journal of Public Health·P N Goldwater
Aug 1, 1996·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·P Bedossa, T Poynard
Aug 19, 1999·The New England Journal of Medicine·M J AlterH S Margolis
Jul 7, 2001·The New England Journal of Medicine·G M Lauer, B D Walker
Jun 27, 2002·Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology·Robert P WeirTony A Blakely
Apr 2, 2005·International Journal of Epidemiology·Cynthia M PérezVivian Colón
Jun 29, 2005·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Rena K FoxKimberly A Page-Shafer
Feb 7, 2007·Public Health Reports·Holly HaganRichard S Garfein
Jun 16, 2007·The International Journal of Social Psychiatry·Perry D HoffmanAlan E Fruzzetti
Jul 1, 2007·Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association·Abdullah S Al-Ghamdi
Feb 27, 2010·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Abigail E MitchellR Palmer Beasley
Sep 22, 2011·Journal of Viral Hepatitis·A HatzakisH L A Janssen
Oct 12, 2011·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Constance E Ruhl, James E Everhart
Jan 4, 2012·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Maxine M DennistonRuth B Jiles
May 4, 2013·Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·Hemant A Shah, Mahmoud Abu-Amara
Feb 12, 2014·BMC Infectious Diseases·Brianna L NortonJason E Stout
Mar 20, 2014·The Medical Journal of Australia·Joanne M ReekieTony G Butler
Aug 3, 2014·Journal of Hepatology·Erin GowerHomie Razavi
Sep 26, 2014·BMC Infectious Diseases·Amber ArainHeino Stöver
Sep 25, 2015·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Jane VermuntMichael Schultz
Jul 19, 2016·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Justin C BrownMeera N Harhay
Jan 7, 2017·PloS One·Marco Antonio Moreira PugaAna Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Fibroscan
R

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
Freke R ZuureMaria Prins
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases
Ana Cláudia de OliveiraEdison Roberto Parise
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
Marco Antonio Moreira PugaAna Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved