Br J Cancer. 2002 Jul; 87(3): 314-8.

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

Shin HR, Kim JY, Kim JI, Lee DH, Yoo KY, Lee DS, Franceschi S.

Division of Cancer Control and Epidemiology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 809 Madu-dong, Ilsan-Gu, Koyang, Kyonggi, 411-764 South Korea.

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.Copyright 2002 Cancer Research UK