What is the prevalence of HCV infection in monogamous heterosexual partners?
Seroprevalence studies in monogamous, heterosexual partners of HCV-infected, HIV-negative persons have reported prevalence rates ranging from 0% to 24% in studies from Southeast Asia and Southern Europe but lower rates in studies from the United States and Northern Europe. North America: 2-4.8%; South America: 11.8%; Africa: 5.6%-20.7%; Europe 0-5%; Asia: 8.8%-27%. The factors most consistently associated with HCV positivity among heterosexual partners were the presence of percutaneous risk factors for HCV (injection drug use, blood transfusion, sharing glass syringes). Early studies found the rate of HCV positivity in partners increased with the longer duration of marriage, suggesting risk of sexual transmission correlated with frequency of contact. However, subsequent studies adjusting for age did not find a consistent relationship between the duration of the sexual relationship and HCV positivity in partners. The majority of published studies did not evaluate antibody-concordant cou
