Descriptive epidemiology of hepatitis C virus among male heroin abusers in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to determine the risk factors for HCV infection among heroin abusers in Taiwan.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study. From November 2004 to February 2005, 577 subjects, including 423 subjects (73.3%) using injectable heroin and 154 subjects (26.7%) using smoked heroin from one male prison located in Taiwan, were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 33.3 +/- 7.9 years (age range 19-65 years). Anti-HCV antibody was tested. A face-to-face interview focusing on sociodemographic information and risk behaviors was addressed. The t test, chi-squared test, and multivariate logistic regression were used.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of anti-HCV antibody positivity was 74.9%, with 89.8% among injecting heroin abusers and 33.8% among smoking heroin abusers (P < 0.0001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that needle sharing was independently related to HCV infection (odds ratio = 5.25, 95% confidence interval = 2.48-11.12).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody positivity among male injecting drug abusers is high in Taiwan. Needle sharing is identified as a potential risk factor for HCV infection.
Liao
Kuan-Fu
KF
Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Peng
Chen-Yuang
CY
Lai
Shih-Wei
SW
Chang
Wu-Long
WL
Hsu
Nan-Yung
NY
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016485:Needle Sharing; D011329:Prisoners; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies