title: Risk factors for HBV/HIV/HCV in drug addicts: a survey of attendees of a department of pathological dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to determine risk factors for the acquisition of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Pathological Dependence at Bari Hospital in Bari Province (Italy).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the year 2008 using the information available in the out-patient files of 291 drug addicts who were undergoing treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Their average age was 29.3 and 133 (45.7%) of them were affected by HIV/HBV/WHCV. The use of injected heroin, being separated or divorced, and having committed a crime were found to be risk factors for infection by HIV/ HBV/ HCV, while having a school diploma or a university degree and the use of cannabinoids were negatively associated with the infective diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the data from the Italian Departments of Pathological Dependence concerning HIV diffusion in treated patients have been showing a reduction in the number of cases of seropositivity, drug addiction in industrialized countries is still the second most important risk factor, after promiscuous sexual behaviour, for infection by parenteral transmission. Correct risk assessment is essential for the planning of effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari Hospital Trust, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pignataro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: A Santa
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Maria
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult