Prevalence of active HCV infection among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals residing in camps, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Study design
Cross-sectional survey
Context
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases globally. Transmission is primarily bloodborne through unsafe injections or healthcare practices. Effective treatment exists, yet access to diagnosis and treatment is limited. Few data indicated high HCV exposure among Rohingya refugees/forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals residing in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, where Médecins Sans Frontières is pioneering HCV services. Representative information on the prevalence of active HCV infection and exposure risk factors was lacking.
Our role
Coordination
Partners
- Ministry of Health of Bangladesh
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was carried out in May-June 2023, including adults (≥18 years) by simple random geo-sampling (one participant per household, target sample 680), in seven camps (8W, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19) in Cox’s Bazar District. Participants were screened with an HCV-antibody test (SD Bioline), and active infection assessed with Xpert® HCV Viral Load test (Cepheid) if seropositive. A structured questionnaire was administered to identify risk factors of exposure.
Results
Of the 641 participants, median age was 34 years [IQR 28, 46], 66.3% were female. The estimated prevalence of HCV-seropositivity was 29.7% (95%CI: 26.0-22.8), and the prevalence of active infection was 19.6% (16.4-23.2). Multivariable regression revealed higher odds of HCV-seropositivity for female (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.7 (1.0-2.6)), age groups ≥25 years old (aORs ranging from 2.3 to 2.9), reported medical injection(s) (aOR=1.7 (95% CI: 1.0-2.6)) or surgery (aOR=4.7 (95%CI: 1.3-16.7). Half of participants never heard about Hepatitis C, 4.0% of viremic participants reported previous HCV treatment.
Conclusion /Impact
The survey revealed a significant burden of active HCV infection among adult Rohingya camp residents, which, extrapolated may affect an estimated 86,000 individuals.
In may 2025, MSF has begun a large-scale "test and treat" campaign for hepatitis C in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, aiming to treat 30,000 people by the end of 2026.
