Determinants and Predictors of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to be a significant problem to health among the Pakistani population and especially in the underserved and mountainous areas like Gilgit-Baltistan. There is limited comprehensive evidence on the socioeconomic, clinical and behavioral determinants of HCV in this region. Methods A cross-sectional study was done on 238 participants who were recruited into tertiary care hospitals in District Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data that included socio-demographic factors, clinical history, risk factors, access to healthcare, and awareness to HCV. Medical records provided clinical parameters, liver functional tests, serological, PCR, and the genotype. The relationship between HCV diagnosis predictors was determined using multivariable logistic regression. The scale reliability was measured on the omega by McDonald and variance inflation factors were used in assessing collinearity diagnostics. Results The sample of the study primarily comprised of adults (young and middle-aged, with a minor majority of males). Many respondents were matric level educated and could not access tertiary healthcare services. Age was found to be a significant predictor of HCV diagnosis and is positive (OR = 1.05, p < 0.001). Matriculated people were more likely to be diagnosed with HCV than illiterate ones (OR = 2.77, p = 0.033). The positive relation with HCV diagnosis was also found in the case of employment in the private sector (OR = 21.24, p = 0.010). Mental health support was also significantly related to increased odds of a diagnosis (OR = 15.47, p = 0.008) and previous HCV cure (OR = 0.04, p < 0.001) and serological testing (OR = 0.03, p = 0.001) were protective. There was no severe multicollinearity of the predictors. Conclusion The paper provides important demographic, socioeconomic and healthcare-based factors that contribute to HCV in Gilgit-Baltistan. The need to reduce HCV in this vulnerable group is to strengthen early screening, access to diagnostic services, and increase the specific awareness campaigns and treatment interventions.