Factors Correlated With Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections Among Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, IR Iran

Abstract

This article presents that IDUs are highly at risk of hepatitis B and C virus infections. This has an important implication for those who are involved in planning for providing harm reduction services, especially in prison settings. Background:In Iran, the number of injecting drug users (IDUs) has increased in recent years. The rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections among IDUs are reportedly high. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess factors correlated with HCV and HBV infections among IDUs in Tehran. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 899 IDUs recruited from the community, drug treatment centers, and drop-in-centers. The study involved interviews conducted using an adapted version of the WHO Drug Injection Study Phase II (Version 2b) questionnaire and blood testing for the HCV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis B core antibody. A logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors correlated with HCV and HBV infections. Results: HCV infection was found to be primarily associated with female gender [odds ratio (OR) 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-10.0)], unmarried status (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.4), drug use for more than 10 years (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-3.9), drug injection frequency of more than once per day (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.2), history of imprisonment (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-4.0)], and a history of shared injection needles in prison (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.6). HBV infection was mainly correlated with a history of imprisonment (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.7) and drug use for more than 10 years (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9). Conclusions: Because a considerable number of IDUs in Iran are receiving reduction services, tailoring services for prevention of hepatitis infection are necessary.

HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and related factors in Iran: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and trend analysis

“…Among people who inject drugs (PWID), AIDS is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality [6,7]. In Iran, opium has been traditionally used, but rapid changes have occurred in the pattern of drug use in recent decades [8,9]. Currently, the number of PWID is estimated to be approximately 200 000 people [10,11].…”

Correlates of shared methamphetamine injection among methamphetamine-injecting treatment seekers: the first report from Iran

“…MA injection is a marker of greater addiction severity, 9 which could have critical health and treatment implications. In this study, we investigated the factors that were correlates of shared MA injection in a group of treatment seekers who mainly injected MA in Tehran, Iran.…”

“…Considerable rates of shared drug injection have been reported among drug users in Iran and other countries. 9,12,15,18,19 Nonetheless, further studies should be conducted on the rate of shared MA injection and its health implications.…”

“…Previous studies in Iran confirmed the reliability and validity of these measures for Iranian IDUs. 9 Three psychiatrists adapted the questionnaire according to the situation in Tehran, which was followed by a pretest assessment on a sample of MA injectors in Tehran.…”

“…Despite availability of sterile syringes and implementing needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), in general, shared drug injection is observed among male Iranian MA injectors and has resulted in spreading blood-borne infectious diseases. 8,9 A study on a group of male Iranian IDUs who had sex with men (MSM IDUs) showed that compared to other IDUs, MSM IDUs were more likely to report sharing needles and syringes for drug injection. 10 A study on 150 Iranian HIV-positive patients (124 males and 26 females) showed that shared drug injection was one of the main routes of transmitting HIV infection.…”