Abstract
In Japan, community-based HCV screenings were introduced in 2002, as a new item of mass medical checkup. In preparation therefor, we conducted HCV antibody testing on all persons who participated In a thorough physical checkup in 2001 and those who were residents of the town of Yamaga.
The results of the thorough physical checkup were compared with the results of the mass checkup for the town of Yamaga. Persons from whom we did not obtain consent for HCV inspection were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The group of people who underwent a thorough physical check was comprised of 1304 persons, and the subjects positive for the HCV antibody (middle-high titer) accounted for 7.9 %. On the other hand, in the town mass medical checkup of 1000 individuals, 218 needed to be tested for the HCV virus, but only 135 gave their consent (61.9%). Among those tested, 9 were positive for the HCV antibody (middle-high titer)(0.9%). According to the questionnaires half of the people were not informed of this examination or the fact that it was free of charge. Some did not understand the significance of this test. The other half was aware that testing for HCV antibody was introduced in mass screenings, but they found it tiresome, or simply thought that it was not necessary for them to undergo such a test. We concluded that more detailed information should be given to the public, and that better public relations and a more effective system of mass medical checkup is needed.
