Blood-borne infections in Dublin's opiate users.
BACKGROUND
Injecting drug users are at high risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. Ireland has had a harm reduction policy of methadone maintenance and needle exchange since 1992.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection and appropriate uptake of hepatitis B vaccine in methadone attendees and to make recommendations for a simple record-based surveillance system.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 138 client records for evidence of laboratory tests or test results for blood-borne viruses and appropriate immunisation against hepatitis B.


RESULTS
A total of 60% of clients had evidence of one or more laboratory tests in their notes. Of those tested for individual viruses, 5.1% were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 78.8% had antibodies to hepatitis C and 16.7% were HIV positive. Nearly two-thirds of clients had no evidence of vaccination or information on prior immunity in their records.


CONCLUSIONS
A standardised written protocol for screening for blood-borne viruses and for immunisation against hepatitis B in methadone service attendees was clearly needed, and was subsequently introduced by the Eastern Region Health Authority.
Fitzgerald
M
M
Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Barry
J
J
O'Sullivan
P
P
Thornton
L
L
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008691:Methadone; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D008691:Methadone