title: Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection among drug abusers in southern Taiwan.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among drug abusers in southern Taiwan. This survey included 935 drug abusers from Kaohsiung Narcotic Abstention Institute and Kaohsiung prison. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 29.1% among male drug abusers and 19.4% among female drug abusers. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 66.4% among intravenous drug abusers and 14.4% among nonintravenous drug abusers. Intravenous drug use, a history of hepatitis, having tattoos, and age were independently related to HCV seropositivity among drug abusers. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody concentrations significantly increased (10.8-fold) with intravenous drug abuse and with having tattoos (1.7-fold). These findings suggest that hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted by the parenteral route among drug abusers in southern Taiwan. Due to the high rate of HCV infection among drug abusers, investigation of high-risk behavior should be routine in this group. To prevent HCV infection, emphasis on the use of sterile needles and aseptic procedures in tattooing is important in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies