BACKGROUND: This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among heroin dependent individuals who received methadone maintenance therapy in Taiwan. Also, we investigate users' awareness of HCV. METHODS: Participants were 773 heroin users entering the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Taiwan. The presence of HCV antibodies was detected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between HCV infection and correlates. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV infection was 90.8%. All participants who were HIV-positive were also infected with HCV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the route of heroin administration (injection), HIV-infection, and criminal records were significantly related to HCV infection. Few (34.8%) HCV positive heroin users were aware of their infection. CONCLUSION: An extremely high prevalence of HCV infection but low awareness of their infection status was found among MMT patients in Taiwan. These findings highlight the importance of education regarding risky behaviors and the necessity for HCV treatment for this population in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND: This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among heroin dependent individuals who received methadone maintenance therapy in Taiwan. Also, we investigate users' awareness of HCV. METHODS:Participants were 773 heroin users entering the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Taiwan. The presence of HCV antibodies was detected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between HCV infection and correlates. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV infection was 90.8%. All participants who were HIV-positive were also infected with HCV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the route of heroin administration (injection), HIV-infection, and criminal records were significantly related to HCV infection. Few (34.8%) HCV positive heroin users were aware of their infection. CONCLUSION: An extremely high prevalence of HCV infection but low awareness of their infection status was found among MMTpatients in Taiwan. These findings highlight the importance of education regarding risky behaviors and the necessity for HCV treatment for this population in Taiwan.
Authors: Allison Mah; Mark W Hull; Kora DeBeck; Michael John Milloy; Sabina Dobrer; Ekaterina Nosova; Evan Wood; Thomas Kerr; Kanna Hayashi Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2017-03-24
Authors: P Huang; L G Zhu; X J Zhai; Y F Zhu; M Yue; J Su; J Wang; H T Yang; Y Zhang; H B Shen; Z H Peng; R B Yu Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2015-01-20 Impact factor: 4.434
Authors: Joseph D Tucker; Kathrine Meyers; John Best; Karyn Kaplan; Razia Pendse; Kevin A Fenton; Isabelle Andrieux-Meyer; Carmen Figueroa; Pedro Goicochea; Charles Gore; Azumi Ishizaki; Giten Khwairakpam; Veronica Miller; Antons Mozalevskis; Michael Ninburg; Ponsiano Ocama; Rosanna Peeling; Nick Walsh; Massimo G Colombo; Philippa Easterbrook Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2017-11-01 Impact factor: 3.090