Abstract

Intravenous drug users are considered to be at high risk of having the infections, hepatitis B virus (BBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immune-deficiency virus (HIV), because of their high risky behaviours especially of sharing of syringes. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BBV, HCV and HIV in intravenous drug users in a harm reduction center. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 118 cases of IDUs who were referred to Mah-o-Mehr Harm Reduction Center in Southern of Tehran in 2008. Information on sexual behaviour, socio-demographic and drug use variables were collected by means of a check list from their medical records. SPSS-15 software was used for data analysis and p-value<0.05was considered significant. From the total of 118 IDU users, 91.5% were males. Mean age of them was 33.52(SD=8.25). Abused substances were crack (60.2%), heroin (31.4%) and Norgezik (8.5%). Prevalence of total infections was 32.2% and prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV were 10.2, 5.1 and 26.3% respectively. Eleven patients (9.32%) had two co-infection: One HIV and HBV, one HBV and HCV, 9 HIV and HCV. All 38 infected IVD users were males. Sexual contact in infected group was significantly higher than non-infected (47.4 vs. 15%; p<0.001). Frequencies of heroin abuse, homelessness and singles in infected group were significantly higher than non-infected group. The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV was higher among intravenous drug users in this center than general population. Risk reduction programs are required for this group.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, intravenous drug user, harm reduction, Iran.