Viral hepatitis and HIV seroprevalence and related risk factors among male injecting drug users

International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs, & STIs

October 24-25, 2013 Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL, USA

Maryam Foroughi

Posters: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

Objective: Injecting drug users (IDUs) remain the population at risk of acquiring parenterally transmitted viruses. Only few studies have been carried out on hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections prevalence among IDUs. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with these infections among IDUs in Arak, Iran. One hundred male IDU attending methadone maintenance clinics between April and September, 2012 were enrolled and evaluated for HCV, HBV, and HIV infection. Data on risk behavior was provided by a detailed questionnaire. The prevalence of markers for viral hepatitis and HIV infections was 56% for anti-HCV, 6.1% for HBsAg, and 19% for anti- HIV. The most common co-infections were HCV-HIV (10%) and HBV-HCV (1%) with markers for all three infections present in 5%. In bivariate analyses, a history of any syringe sharing and syringe sharing in prison were both associated with all three viral infections. In multivariate logistic regression models, IDU with a history of any syringe sharing were more likely to have HCV (aOR 8.25, CI 3.09-22.04), while IDU with HBV co-infection (aOR 23.92, CI 1.09-526.79) or a history of syringe sharing in prison (aOR 9.56, CI 1.92-47.73) were more likely to be HIV-infected. The high prevalence of HCV as well as HIV and HBV infection in our IDUs is concerning. While our data due to HCV suggest a future burden of HCV disease, it also point to a rapid spread of HIV transmission in future. So, effective harm reduction programs should be implemented urgently

Biography :

Maryam Foroughi has completed her M.D. at the age of 28 years from Iran University of Medical Sciences. She has worked as a medical researcher in Iranian Research Center of HIV/AIDS from 2008 to 2013. She is one of the executive members of International Annual congress of HIV/AIDS in Tehran and also member of Iranian Medical Council. She has published about 10 papers in international journals during these 5 years