Viral hepatitis in a Canadian street-involved population.
BACKGROUND
Data on the prevalence and compliance with management of viral hepatitis in the street-involved population are limited.


METHODS
Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV) serology and compliance with HBV vaccination were documented in 533 street-involved individuals.


RESULTS
The mean age of the study population was 25.7 years (range: 11-65) and 53% were female. Serologic evidence of HAV infection was present in 53%; HBV, 12% (3% ongoing infection); and HCV, 17%. HAV infections were associated with Aboriginal/Metis ethnicity and age over 25 years; HBV with injection drug use (IDU); and HCV with IDU, sex trade work and age over 25 years. Compliance with three-step HBV vaccination was 98%, 77% and 63%.


CONCLUSIONS
HAV, HBV and HCV are common infections in urban street-involved persons. Successful HBV (and presumably HAV) vaccination can be achieved in the majority of this population, but concerns exist regarding compliance with more long-term, parenterally-based antiviral therapies.
Moses
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S
Public Health Branch, Manitoba Health, Departments of Medical Microbiology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Mestery
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Kaita
K D E
KD
Minuk
G Y
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies