LOW-RISK OF SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN SOMALIA

The prevalence in Somalia of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined in a survey of 236 female prostitutes, 80 sexually tran smitted disease (STD) clinic patients, 79 male soldiers, and 43 tuberc ulosis patients. Of 98 (22%) serum samples repeatedly anti-HCV reactiv e by first and second generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit s, only 8 (1.8%) were anti-HCV positive by immunoblot assay (RIBA-2). Anti-HCV seropositivity by immunoblot assay was not associated with an y risk group or with positive syphilis serology (found in 18% of subje cts) or antibody to human immunodeficiency virus 1 (in 1.4% of subject s). These data indicate that sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus is not common in Somalia among sexually active populations, including female prostitutes and other groups at high risk of STDs and the acqui red immune deficiency syndrome.