Screening for hepatitis C in sexual health clinic attendees.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence has been shown to be higher in some sexual health clinic attendees than the general population. Screening for HCV in sexual health clinics may be based on risk assessment or universal screening. The aim of this audit was to explore the value of routine HCV screening in a sexual health centre population.

Methods: Medical records and pathology data concerning all patients tested for HCV between 2000 and 2002 at Canberra Sexual Health Centre were audited to determine whether the diagnosis of HCV was already known and which, if any, risk factors were identified at the time of testing.

Results: A total of 3845 tests were conducted on 3156 individuals over the 3-year period. HCV seropositivity was confirmed in 95 patients (3.0%; 95% CI 2.4-3.7), of which 29 (30.5%) were new diagnoses. A total of 85.3% of all patients with confirmed HCV infection reported a history of injecting drug use. Tattoos and body piercings were the most common risk factor in those who denied ever injecting. Risk factor assessment correctly identified all but one positive patient.

Conclusions: HCV testing based on clinician-led risk assessment is an effective approach to HCV screening.