title: Hepatitis C virus infection and related risk factors among injection drug users in Montenegro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Southeastern Europe, similar to other postsocialist regions on the continent, injection drug users (IDU) are exposed to a high risk of blood-borne infections. In this paper, we report the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) among IDUs in Montenegro. We also examine the risk factors associated with HCV diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2008, 322 IDUs in Montenegro participated in a respondent-driven sampling survey. Blood specimens were collected and tested for HIV, HCV and HBV. Behavioral data were collected with self-administered questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison to 2005, HCV prevalence had increased from an estimated 22 to 53.7%. Only one HIV and no HBV cases were detected. Anti-HCV positivity was associated with the region of origin, income, sharing injection equipment and frequency of injecting drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increasing HCV prevalence among IDUs in Montenegro calls for increased and better designed programs to prevent its further spread and a potential HIV outbreak.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. vbacak@sas.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baćak
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laušević
authors.forename: Boban
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mugoša
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vratnica
authors.forename: Nataša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terzić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054548:Montenegro / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult