Data from: A population-based screening for hepatitis C antibodies and active infection using a point-of-care test in a low prevalence area

Background. Data on the true prevalence of hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infection in the general population is essential to health
policies. We evaluated a program implementing free universal HCV screening
using a non-invasive point-of-care test (POCT) (OraQuick-HCV rapid test)
in oral fluid in an urban area in Valencia, South-Eastern Spain. 
Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed during 2015-2017.
Free HCV screening was offered by regular mail to 11,500 individuals aged
18 and over, randomly selected from all census residents in the Health
Department. All responding participants filled in a
questionnaire about HCV infection risk factors and were tested in
their tertiary Hospital. In those with a positive POCT, results were
confirmed by enzyme-immunoassay and HCV-RNA. Results. 1,206
persons agreed to participate (response rate: 11.16%). HCV antibodies were
detected in 19 (1.60%) cases (age-sex standardized rate: 1.31%; 95%CI:
0.82-2.07), but only 8 showed positive HCV-RNA (age-sex standardized rate:
0.56%; 95%CI: 0.28-1.14). The majority (89%) of the cases were born before
1965 and 74% had at least one known risk factor for HCV infection. All
anti-HCV positive individuals were already aware of their infection, and
no undiagnosed cases were detected. The performance of the POCT was
excellent for detecting active infection. 
Conclusions. These preliminary data suggest that HCV population
screening with a POCT is feasible but, in our setting, mailing recruiting
is not effective (11% response rate). The low prevalence of HCV antibodies
and active infection in the participant population (with no new diagnoses
made) suggests that, in our setting, underdiagnosis may be uncommon. Files
uploaded include the study database (Stata  v.13) and
the do.file of the study.