title: Frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among hospitalized injecting drug users in Kashan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infectious diseases including HIV and viral hepatitis constitute a major health issue, with high prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study assessed the frequency of HIV, and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) among 200 IDUs, hospitalized between 2001 and 2006, in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cross-sectional study in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 200 subjects participated in this study. Serological markers including HBsAg, anti-HCV antibodies and HIV were assessed by ELISA method using Monobid kits made in US. Demographic data was collected by using a questionnaire, which was designed by a researcher.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequencies were determined by employing SPSS:PC version 15.0, and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare proportions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of subjects was 36.5 ± 10.2 years. Approximately 88.5% (177 cases) were male and 11.5%. (23 cases) were female. The frequency of positive infection test results for males with respect to HBV, HCV, and HIV was 4% (8 cases), 10.5% (21 cases), and 1.5% (3 cases); and for females it was 0.5% (1 case), 1.5% (3 cases), and 0% (0 case), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection in the IVD user in Kashan, Iran, is relatively high and this condition is more serious in male than female drug addicts. It is very important, especially for health providers and policy makers, to recognize the risk factors of HBV, HCV and particularly HIV infection in this area and design effective preventive programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Ghotb Ravand blvd, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sherif
authors.forename: Mansour
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sayyah