title: [Epidemiology of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus infections among injecting drug users in Hungary--what's next?].
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is currently about 35% among injecting drug users in Budapest, Hungary, and it is under 20% outside of the capital, and no verified case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been detected so far. Mathematical models describe that the co-occurrence of HIV and HCV among injecting drug users is such under an HCV prevalence of about 35% the probability of an HIV epidemic is low, but above this threshold an, HIV epidemic is to be expected. According to these models, there is a looming probability of an HIV epidemic among injecting drug users in Hungary, especially in Budapest. There are four ways to prevent or delay such an epidemic: 1. substitution treatment programs; 2. legal access to injecting equipment; 3. free and confidential HIV and HCV counseling and rapid testing; and 4. hygienic injecting environment. In order to avoid a predicted HIV epidemic, epidemiological pattern of HCV among injecting drug users in Hungary requires both a comprehensive prevention response and the systematic monitoring of the epidemiological situation. The success of the prevention programs depends on two factors: 1. wide access; and 2. regular financial support from the government.
authors.affiliation: Európai Kábítószer- és Kábítószerfüggoség-megfigyelo Központ (EMCDDA) Cais do Sodré 1249-289 Lisszabon, Portugália. anna.gyarmathy@cmcdda.europa.eu
authors.forename: V Anna
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Gyarmathy
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rácz
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D003376:Counseling; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015995:Prevalence; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics