Nature and prevalence of risk factors associated to type B and C acute viral hepatitis cases in Bucharest, 1998-2000

The main objective of the study was to calculate and report the prevalence of probable risk factors involved in the transmission of pathogenic agents among type B and C acute viral hepatitis cases confirmed in Bucharest (1998-2000). The standardized values of the risks detected in the 45-180 days preceding the onset of illness suggest that in both types of acute viral hepatitis considered in our study transmission associated to the individuals' behaviour (19.0%-hepatitis B and 20.1%-hepatitis C) seems more frequent than "iatrogenic" transmission; in case of hepatitis B, sexual contacts with more than one partner coming first (15.7%), whilst in case of hepatitis C the use of i.v. drugs (heroine) was most frequently incriminated (12.4%). The study reviews the present knowledge of the risk factors involved in the transmission of the disease and approaches prevention strategies.