Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Viruses, and HIV Among Drug Addicts in the Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
| Author | Nuran Karabulut | en |
| Author | Yasemin Bulut | en |
| Author | Selda Telo | en |
| Issued Date | 2015-08-01 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections constitute serious healthcare problems worldwide. Objectives: 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. Patients and 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. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.19698 | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis B | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis C | en |
| Keyword | HIV | en |
| Keyword | Opioid-Related Disorders | en |
| Keyword | Cannabis | en |
| Keyword | Cocaine | en |
| Keyword | Drug Users | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Viruses, and HIV Among Drug Addicts in the Eastern Anatolia, Turkey | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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