Locations and Reasons for Initial Testing for Hepatitis C Infection — Chronic Hepatitis Cohort Study, United States, 2006-2010

This report presents results of a survey to understand where and why individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection got their intial testing. An analysis of 2006–2010 survey results from 4,689 participants in the Chronic Hepatitis Cohort Study indicated that a substantial proportion of HCV-infected patients were tested only after clinical indications that their infection had progressed and became symptomatic. Of the 4,689 patients with HCV infection who responded to the survey, 45.2% reported clinical indications as a reason for testing, with 78.1% born during 1945–1965, the birth cohort recommended by CDC for one-time HCV testing. The majority of respondents (60.4%) reported receiving the test in their physicians' offices.