Trends in Risk Factors for Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis C Among a Southern European Population
Condition: Hepatitis C Virus; HIV Infections; Pregnancy
MeSH terms: Infections; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      According to the centres taking part in the ALHICE survey, the number of HIV-HCV co-infected
      women is currently decreasing. This drop was first noted in 2006 and persisted in 2007. What
      might have been considered a chance phenomenon during the first year (2006) was confirmed in
      the beginning of 2008. In view of this information, the investigators wished to ascertain the
      reality of this trend and to investigate its causes, by attempting to answer the following
      questions: - Has the prevalence of risk factors for HCV infection changed among the general
      population over the past 10 years?

        -  Has the prevalence of risk factors for HCV infection changed among HIV/HCV co-infected
           women over the past 10 years?

        -  Is the change in the number of co-infected women who gave birth during the past 10 years
           related to the prevalence of certain risk factors among this population?

        -  Is the change in the number of co-infected women who gave birth during the past 10 years
           related to a decrease in certain risk factors for HCV infection among the general
           population?

        -  Have changes in addictive behaviour among women of child-bearing age played a role in
           the decreasing number of HCV-contaminated children? Furthermore, follow-up data from
           HCV-infected children born during this period will provide information concerning the
           course of HCV infection.

      The objectives are to study trends in numbers of deliveries among HCV/HIV co-infected women
      as well as trends in risk factors for HCV infection among women of child bearing age and
      lastly to create a cohort of HCV infected children.
    

Detailed description: 
      Materials and Methods:

      This multi-centre epidemiological study (CHU Nice, CHU Toulouse, CHU Montpellier, H Clinic
      Barcelona, H Mar Barcelona) consists in two parts. Our study does not interfere with the
      usual management of mother and child as laboratory data (virology, immunology, and liver
      function) are already included in the medical files. Data collection will be conducted via an
      anonymous questionnaire by an only one clinical research assistant who will travel to each
      participating centre. These data are contained in the mother's and child's medical files. The
      data concerning the socio-demographic characteristics of mother, the characteristics of HIV
      and HCV infection with special attention for infection risk factors, and the circumstances of
      the delivery. The questionnaire among children include laboratory results at birth, M6, and
      M12, as well as assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

      Data were analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative variables were tested by Chi-square and
      Fisher's exact test. For quantitative variables, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was
      used (median, 25th and 75th quartile). A p-value inferior than 0.05 was considered
      statistically significant.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Retrospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        HCV/HIV infected pregnant women
      
Keywords: HCV infected pregnant women