Seroprevalences and co-infections of HIV, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus in injecting drug users in Quetta, Pakistan.
A questionnaire-based survey was administered to a sample of street-recruited injecting drug users. Written informed consent was obtained. Serological screening and further testing for the three blood-borne infections was performed. Fifty (76.9%) consented for serological testing. Seroprevalences of hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV and hepatitis B antigen were 60%, 24% and 6%, respectively. Co-infections of HCV/HIV were particularly high (20%).
Achakzai
Malik
M
Department of Psychiatry, Bolan Medical College, 8-13/36 Kasi Road, Quetta, Pakistan.
Kassi
Masoom
M
Kasi
Pashtoon Murtaza
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires