Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors of drug using prisoners in Guilan province.
This was a cross-sectional prevalence study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and high-risk behaviours in drug abusers admitted to prison in Guilan province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Subjects were asked about risk behaviours for acquiring HCV and blood was drawn for HCV antibody testing using ELISA techniques. Of 460 inmates, the mean duration of drug use was 8.9 years; 51.7% were opium users and 18.3% heroin users. HCV risk behaviours were common in this population and 209 inmates (45.4%) were HCV antibody positive (88.9% of intravenous drug abusers). HCV-positive status was significantly associated with intravenous drug use, having skin tattoos and number of times in prison.
Department of Community Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Islamic Republic of Iran. mohtashamaz@yahoo.com
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Mohtasham Amiri
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Rezvani
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Jafari Shakib
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Jafari Shakib
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies