Hepatitis B and hepatitis C seroprevalence and risk behaviour among community-recruited drug injectors in North West Wales.
We estimated the prevalence of markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and injecting risk behaviour, among community-recruited injecting drug users (IDUs) in North West Wales in 2001 and 2002. Sample collection was undertaken by trained current and former IDUs. Oral fluid samples (n = 153) were tested as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme ongoing survey of IDUs. Approximately 12% of the sample reported that they were currently in a drug treatment programme. Of the 153 samples screened 27% (95% CI 20%-34%, 41/153) were anti-HBc positive, and 23% (95% CI 16%-30%, 35/153) were anti-HCV positive. Sixteen per cent (95% CI 10%-22%, 25/ 153) of the samples were positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HCV. Of the subjects 15% (95% CI 9%-20%) knew they had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Direct sharing of needles and syringes in the 28 days prior to interview was reported by 44% (95% CI 35%-54%), and sharing of any equipment including that used for drug preparation prior to injection was reported by 66% (95% CI 57%-76%). In North West Wales, syringe sharing is a common practice, and a high proportion of IDUs have been exposed to bloodborne viruses. Hepatitis B vaccination coverage within this population appears to be low and needs to be increased. Further efforts are needed to improve the availability of clean injecting equipment.
National Public Health Service for Wales Microbiology Bangor, Bangor. noel.craine@nphs.wales.nhs.uk
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Craine
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Walker
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Williamson
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Brown
V D
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Hope
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D003932:Heroin