title: Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Viruses, and HIV Among Drug Addicts in the Eastern Anatolia, Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections constitute serious healthcare problems worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  There are a limited number of studies regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections among the drug addicts in Turkey; hence, the current study aimed to determine the frequency of these infections among 235 drug addicts treated in a drug addiction treatment centre/Elazig, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests in 235 drug addicts were studied by ELISA technique. Urine samples obtained from drug addicts were analyzed for cannabis, opiate and cocaine metabolites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the 235 drug users were males, and their mean age was 30.69 ± 9.494 years; 112 (47.7%) of them were in the age group ranging 20 - 29 years (P < 0.05). Of 235 drug addicts, 113 (48.1%) and 115 (48.9%) were only cannabis and opiate users, respectively. In urine samples of seven (3%) drug addicts both cannabis and opiate metabolites were detected. Cocaine was detected in none of the urine samples. The frequencies of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV among drug addicts were 2.6%, 38.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. None of the drug addicts was positive for HIV. Anti-HCV was more prevalent in opiate users than in cannabis users: 15.7% vs. 1.8% (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The obtained results showed that HCV infection was an alarming problem among opiate users in the eastern part of Turkey. It is suggested to rapidly diagnose the infected persons; thus preventive measures and appropriate control may limit further transmission of these infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Mental Health Hospital, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Mental Health Hospital, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Telo
keywords: Cannabis; Cocaine; Drug Users; HIV; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Opioid-Related Disorders