title: Hepatitis C virus infection in intravenous drug users: prevalence and risk factors.
abstract: We investigated the relation of drug use and sexual behaviour to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among 80 intravenous drug users (IVDU) attending a methadone treatment program in Rome. Antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) were found in 54/80 of IVDU (67.5%). Presence of anti-HCV was associated with duration of intravenous drug use and frequency of needle sharing (p less than 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively, by chi-square for trend). No association was found between sexual behaviour and anti-HCV prevalence.
authors.affiliation: USL RM/10 AIDS Unit, L. Spallanzani Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccarelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tossini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narciso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D003932:Heroin