Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus Among People Who Use Drugs in Turkey.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients who applied to the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Center and received outpatient or inpatient treatment and to raise awareness among people with these viruses who are unaware of their condition.

METHODS

The study included 8071 patients whose files were retrospectively scanned via the Healthcare Information Management System for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), and HIV antibody (anti-HIV) positivity; demographic characteristics; and substance use. Our participants were divided into the people who inject drugs (PWID) and non-injection drug user (NIDU) groups.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 8071 patients included in the study was 39.0 ± 12.9 years. The HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV positivity rates were 2.2%, 33.2%, 0.8%, and 0.6%, respectively. In total, 60.9% of the patients were using sedative-hypnotics, 52% methamphetamine, 4.5% alcohol, and 2.8% intravenous substances. In the PWID group, the HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV seropositivity rates were 25%, 24.4%, and 10.7%, respectively, and they were significantly higher than those in the NIDU group (P  < .01). When stratified by sex, the HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity rates were significantly higher in men than in women.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HBV and HCV was similar to the frequency seen in the general population. Ensuring that individuals are aware of their diseases will prevent negative outcomes such as cirrhosis and cancer and contribute to the protection of public health by avoiding person-to-person transmission.