Seroprevalence of markers of hepatitis C virus exposure and associated factors in adults aged 18-39 years in the Arctic Russian city of Arkhangelsk: a cross-sectional study

Hepatitis C, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a major public health issue in Russia. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of markers of HCV exposure and factors associated with HCV seropositivity among the general population aged 18–39 years in the city of Arkhangelsk, Northwest Russia. A social research agency applied a quota sampling method to recruit study participants using cell phone numbers. All participants (n = 1243) completed a self-administered questionnaire and provided a blood sample. Sixty-five participants (5.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9–5.5) tested positive for HCV IgM+G antibodies, and of these, 55 (84.6%) did not know that they were exposed to HCV. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, HCV seropositivity was significantly associated with older age, a history of injecting drug use, and having ever received a blood transfusion. To reach the goal of the World Health Organisation’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, regional preventive programmes should include measures to reduce injecting drug use as well as scaling up harm-reduction and treatment programs for drug addicts.